Coalition Senators' Dissenting Report

1.1        The Coalition holds grave concerns about the increased economic and regulatory burden this Bill will place on providers.  The Australian Skills Quality Authority’s submission even states that: "for most RTOs, the proposed ASQA fees and charges will be an increase on what they have paid in the past.  This is because most state and territory governments have subsidised the cost of regulation".[1]

1.2        We acknowledge that the Intergovernmental Agreement makes provision for states to continue to assist in meeting these costs. However, if the states are not required to help reduce the end cost to the providers, in all likelihood they will not.

1.3        The submissions received by the Committee reiterate the concerns held by the sector and the Coalition, that there will be a lack of transparency with potential fees and charges and the impact this could have on smaller rural and regional providers in particular.

1.4        The Coalition is the Party for Small Business and we cannot support a funding arrangement that is going to threaten such enterprises. 

Recommendation 1

1.5        That the Bill should be opposed.

Senator David Bushby
Deputy Chair

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