Senator PAYNE (New South Wales—Minister for Human Services) (14:36): I think Senator McGrath very much for that question. There is indeed overwhelming support for the higher education reforms with amendments, from the leaders of higher education around Australia. All of the higher education peak bodies support the need for reform of the sector. In recent weeks there have been a number of statements that have urged the Senate to support the reforms with amendments. They have come from Universities Australia, the Regional Universities Network, Innovative Research Universities, the Australian Technology Network and the Group of Eight. Senator Kim Carr: Where are the government amendments? Senator PAYNE: There have been similar calls from TAFE Directors Australia, from COPHE, the Council of Private Higher Education, and from ACPET, the Australian Council for Private Education and Training. Senator Kim Carr: Show us the colour of the money! The PRESIDENT: Pause the clock! Senator PAYNE: And those calls of course have also been supported by a number of newspaper articles and a number of media conferences given by those university leaders. Senator Kim Carr interjecting— The PRESIDENT: On my left! Senator PAYNE: It seems to us that it is unprecedented—in fact it is highly significant—that all of those representing our higher education institutions say that the present system is unsustainable, that it is in desperate need of reform and that there would be major benefits for students in reform. Universities Australia, in fact, have noted that opinion polling which they have commissioned shows a strong majority of Australians 'support the deregulation of university fees if the Senate makes important changes'. The Australian Financial Review has also recently argued that, with the huge growth in the number of students, and therefore a significantly higher cost to the taxpayer as well, these are reforms which are essential to maintain a high-quality university system which is open to all Australians. The Australian newspaper also has argued— Senator Kim Carr interjecting— Senator PAYNE: that a deregulated system with a strong system of needs based scholarships would— (Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Before I call Senator McGrath for the first supplementary question, I just remind senators it is disorderly to shout out during the answering of a question, and I will continually pause the chamber if this continues.