Crossbenchers have outlined "very serious concerns" about the government's higher education overhaul.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
Crossbench senators have sounded the alarm about the fee hikes and have signalled the bill will be referred to a Senate inquiry for scrutiny before it passes Parliament ahead of the government's planned 2021 start date for the fee changes.
Centre Alliance MP Rebekha Sharkie said the party was only in the early stages of negotiations but she and the party's last remaining senator Stirling Griff held"really serious concerns about what the government is proposing",particularly changes that will put humanities and social work subjects in the most expensive fee category.
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"I think the government recognises that social work would be caught up in that and there is some potential to move the bands but we are a long way from coming to a position,"she said,hinting that Education Minister Dan Tehan was"sympathetic"to changes.
Ms Sharkie said there were positives in the legislation but she and Senator Griff were worried it did not adequately recognise the crisis facing the university sector.
Independent senator Rex Patrick,who last week announced his departure from Centre Alliance,said the significantly increased cost of some degrees would be"harmful",with a disproportionate impact on women.
"I would not vote for it in its current form. And there are many things that would have to be addressed before I would,"he said.