The Senate Order of Business for today’s sitting day, Monday 18 November, is now released and lists the Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Quality and Integrity) Bill 2024 under the Government business orders of the day for its second reading debate.
Although listed as number 1, the Universities Accord (Student Support and Other Measures) Bill 2024 (subject to introduction) is listed prior to the ESOS Amendment Bill but with a # and note the “subject to introduction”.
Two other education-related Bills are also listed after the ESOS Amendment Bill, also subject to introduction:
- # Better and Fairer Schools (Funding and Reform) Bill 2024 (subject to introduction)
- # Wage Justice for Early Childhood Education and Care Workers (Special Account) Bill 2024 (subject to introduction)
The Senate sits at 10am and this is all due to happen before 1.30pm.
It will be interesting to see what amendments, if any, the Coalition put forward given Senator Henderson’s protestations about the Bill’s impact on regional universities and private higher education and vocational education and training providers.
By all accounts, the Bill will pass. There may be some amendments, but they’re likely to be tweaks rather than anything substantial, including those that were included in the Senate Committee’s report following its inquiry (TKN 101024).
The Order of Business can be found here.
