SenateDivision 16 · 30 Mar 2026

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

Not passed28 aye · 35 no

What this vote was about

The majority voted against an amendment introduced by WA Senator Matt O’Sullivan (Liberal), which means it was unsuccessful.

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.

Committee of the whole: The Senate examines a bill in detail as a committee of the whole. Divisions at this stage decide specific amendments to the bill's text.

Related bills

Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025

By party

Party	Aye	No
Australian Labor Party	0	24
Liberal–National Coalition	22	0
Australian Greens	0	11
Pauline Hanson's One Nation	4	0
United Australia Party	1	0
Independent	1	0

Every vote

AYE (28)

NO (35)

Other divisions this sitting day

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

30 Mar 2026Motions — FuelSenate 29–35
30 Mar 2026Committees — FuelSenate 35–21
30 Mar 2026Documents — Australian Information Environment; Order for the Production of DocumentsSenate 35–21
30 Mar 2026Matters of Urgency - Fuel Security - Axe the fuel taxSenate 29–35
30 Mar 2026Matters of Urgency - Public Transport - Pay for with tax on gas exportsSenate 13–29
30 Mar 2026Business — RearrangementSenate 37–31
30 Mar 2026Business — RearrangementSenate 37–31
30 Mar 2026Business — RearrangementSenate 37–31
30 Mar 2026Business — RearrangementSenate 37–31
30 Mar 2026Business — Consideration of LegislationSenate 29–35
30 Mar 2026Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026 - Limitation of Debate - Review of amendmentsSenate 29–34
30 Mar 2026Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026 - Limitation of Debate - Criticism of GovernmentSenate 4–40
30 Mar 2026Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026 - Limitation of Debate - Opposition amendmentsSenate 29–35
30 Mar 2026Fair Work Amendment (Fairer Fuel) Bill 2026 - Limitation of Debate - Mandatory terms of workplace determinations must not be less favourableSenate 17–30
30 Mar 2026Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 and another - Second Reading - Agree with the bills' main ideaSenate 37–26
30 Mar 2026Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 - in Committee - Ministerial agreementSenate 29–15
30 Mar 2026Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 - in Committee - Greens amendmentsSenate 36–27
30 Mar 2026Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 - in Committee - Greens amendmentsSenate 12–33
30 Mar 2026Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 and another - in Committee - Starting salaries and FT employmentSenate 6–39
30 Mar 2026Universities Accord (Australian Tertiary Education Commission) Bill 2025 and another - Third Reading - Pass the billsSenate 36–27