Senator JOHNSTON (Western Australia—Minister for Defence) (14:53): I thank the senator for her question. It might be a surprise to her to know that many, many people on this side spend many hours of every day dealing with regional Australians as to their futures and educational prospects. What happened in the last four years of the previous Labor government in investment and understanding of what was going on in regional Australia was a complete fiasco. There is no better example of their complete disdain for regional Australians than the termination without notice of live exports from the Northern Territory— Senator Moore: Mr President, I rise on a point of order on direct relevance. Unless the minister is going through a long preamble to his answer, the question that is before the chamber is on any analysis of the economic impact of the short-sighted higher education policy on regional economies. If we could get to that area, it would be very useful. The PRESIDENT: There were four direct elements to the question asked by Senator O'Neill. The minister has one minute and 12 seconds left to answer. Senator JOHNSTON: I can directly assist the senator. Higher education funding, including the total Commonwealth Grant Scheme funding for student places and regional loading, is going up under this government. Support for an uncapped number of diplomas, advanced diplomas and associate degrees creates great opportunities for regional students and for universities. There is only one party, one side of this political debate, that supports regional Australia—and we are all sitting over here. That side have done nothing for regional Australia. Deregulation allows regional universities to position themselves much more effectively and, may I say, attractively to do high-quality degrees with high student satisfaction, good employment outcomes and a great quality of life, at a fee that is— Senator O'Neill: Mr President, I rise on a point of order on relevance. There are seven seconds to go and there has still been no indication from the minister of any analysis of the economic impact and no admission that the regional universities are not at one with the government. None of the question that was asked has been answered. The PRESIDENT: Minister, do you wish to conclude your answer? Senator JOHNSTON: The Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching and student and employer surveys will help set out the pathways— (Time expired)