Senator MARGETTS (12:18 PM) —I move:

(4) Schedule 1, item 6, page 11 (lines 8 to 12), omit paragraph (c).

(5) Schedule 1, item 6, page 11 (lines 13 to 18), omit subsection (3).

The sheet, as it is written, included amendment 31 and we have just dealt with that in opposition amendment No. 13. Therefore, I will not be seeking to move that. I also indicate that amendment No. 3 has been alluded to, albeit by accident, by Senator Neal on behalf of the opposition. In as much as we were trying to cover the issue that three-quarters of a HECS load would be considered to be acceptable as full-time study, in fact, it is covered in the government's bill.

Senator Neal —I was wondering which amendment I was talking to.

Senator MARGETTS —This is the one, Senator Neal. Therefore, I will not be proceeding with Greens (WA) amendment No. 3. Amendments Nos 4 and 5 relate to definitions of full-time study and seek to remove the circular, inadequate and onerous definitions of full-time study. We believe the definition in section 541B(2)(b) is a sufficient alternative position. I would like to ask the minister what is meant by paragraph 541B(2)(c), relating to undertaking full-time study, which states:

(c) otherwise—an amount of full-time study equivalent to the average amount of full-time study that a person would have to undertake for the duration of the course in order to complete the course in the minimum amount of time needed to complete it.

Minister, would you explain what that means please?