THE HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING AMENDMENT BILL (NO. 2) 1996
CONTENTS

RECOMMENDATIONS

The Committee RECOMMENDS that, in relation to the allocation of science units to HECS Band 2, such allocation be adjusted in the event of there proving to be an adverse impact on the demand for science as measured by enrolments.

The Committee RECOMMENDS that the Higher Education Legislation Amendment Bill 1996 be passed without amendment.

 

Dissenting report recommendations

The Opposition and Democrat members of the Committee recommend that the proposed amendment to section 13(1) of the Act, which allows for the charging of upfront full fees to domestic undergraduates, be rejected.

The Opposition and Democrat members of the Committee recommend that the repayment threshold for HECS remain at the level of average weekly earnings.

The Opposition and Democrat members of the Committee recommend that the Senate reject the provisions in the Bill relating to the introduction of the differential HECS, the increases in HECS fees and the lowering of income thresholds for repayment of HECS debt.

The Opposition and Democrat members of the Committee recommend that the Senate reject the provisions in the Bill which provide for the de-regulation of fees for the Open Learning Agency. Students eligible for the Open Learning Deferred Payment Option should be able to defer the full amount of their fees.