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One Step Closer to Legislative Protection for Free Intellectual Inquiry

Posted 23 June 2011 by Paul Kniest (NTEU National Office)

The House of Representatives today passed the Higher Education Support Amendment (Demand Driven Funding System and Other Measures) Bill 2011.  In addition to establishing the legislative framework for the introduction of the student demand driven system from 20122, the Bill also:

• Removed the seven year limit on student learning entitlements, and
• Requires universities as a condition of funding to develop policies that protect and promote free intellectual inquiry in relation to learning, teaching and research.  

With the support of the Independents Tony Windsor, Rob Oakshott and Andrew Willkie as well as Adam Bandt of the Greens, amendments moved by Christopher Pyne of the Coalition which would have substantially diluted the Government’s Bill were defeated.

We anticipate the Bill to be passed by the Senate in the next sitting period.