Vice-Chancellor of Canberra University, Stephen Parker, writes in The Conversation (18.3.15) that at least the conflict over Pyne’s higher education ‘reforms’ has raised public awareness of what is at stake. He concludes:
‘Australia needs a sensible debate on higher education financing based on evidence and careful analysis – not scare-mongering. This debate now has the clear air to take place. If there are alternative visions for higher education between political parties then those can be put to the electorate.
‘If Education Minister Christopher Pyne is so unwise to see it as a potential double dissolution trigger and re-present the same bill, this could be sooner rather than later.’