HouseDivision 1 · 10 Feb 2026

Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 - Consideration in Detail - National Tertiary Education Objective

Not passed39 aye · 96 no

What this vote was about

The majority voted against an amendment introduced by Berowra MP Julian Leeser (Liberal), which means it was unsuccessful.

Mr Leeser explained that:

the national tertiary education objective, as drafted, is not fit to proceed. Amending it should be a necessary but not sufficient consideration for legislating anything like an [Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC)]. So this amendment changes it. It's a simple and straightforward amendment, and I'd like to think it's uncontroversial.

Amendment text

(1) Clause 13, page 10 (lines 19 to 23), omit subclause (1), substitute:

(1) The National Tertiary Education Objective is the objective for tertiary education in Australia to:

(a) develop a world-class tertiary education sector that drives excellence in teaching and learning; and

(b) deliver world-leading research and scholarship, particularly in strategic areas of national significance; and

(c) improve productivity by developing a highly skilled, adaptable and productive workforce; and

(d) establish close links between tertiary education providers, industry and business to strengthen student outcomes and support innovation across the economy; and

(e) deliver positive student experiences across the tertiary education sector; and

(f) promote competition and innovation across the tertiary education sector; and

(g) support Australian values, including equality of opportunity, the rule of law, and Western liberal democratic traditions; and

(h) drive efficiency across the sector to provide value for money for students and the Australian taxpayer; and

(i) reduce regulatory burdens on the tertiary education sector where practicable.

Context written by They Vote For You volunteers (ODbL), reproduced unchanged.

Consideration in detail: Consideration in detail examines a bill part by part in the House. Divisions at this stage decide specific amendments to the bill's text.

By party

Party	Aye	No
Australian Labor Party	0	88
Liberal–National Coalition	37	0
Independent	2	6
Katter's Australian Party	0	1
Australian Greens	0	1

Every vote

AYE (39)

NO (96)

Other divisions this sitting day

What the House divided on around this vote, in order.

10 Feb 2026Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025 - Second Reading - Agree with the bill's main ideaHouse 97–38