Senator CHRIS EVANS (Western Australia—Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations and Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:27): I thank the senator for her question and I am pleased to see that it is focused on a key policy issue, which is how we progress reform in the vocational education and training sector, as it drives so much of the nation's prosperity and opportunities for Australians. We did implement a review of the VET FEE-HELP Assistance Scheme as a result of a commitment given by the Prime Minister in 2008 or 2009 where we said we would look at the experiences in Victoria and undertake a review of that scheme. As I understand it, the review is being conducted by a Canberra based management consultant firm. It has been set that task. Opposition senators interjecting— Senator Bob Brown: Mr President, I simply cannot hear the minister's answer, due to the interjections from the opposition about their reading of the Greens website. I ask you to give us the ability to hear the answer to this question. The PRESIDENT: The senator is entitled to hear the answer to the question that the minister is giving. I remind those on the left that it is disorderly to interrupt during the minister's answer. Senator CHRIS EVANS: I will have to take on notice who has been consulted and how the review is being conducted. But I understand we have recently received a draft report for the review. I have not yet been briefed on that. We will consider those findings in the context of the discussions with the states on the wider reform of VET, as outlined in the budget. What I do know is that, from earlier advice I saw from the department, we saw quite a strong take-up in 2010, in that 26,000 students had accessed a loan to help pay tuition fees and there was good, early evidence of access by increasing numbers of disadvantaged learners. I have not seen the formal report. When I get that I will make it public. I can advise the Senate that we have undertaken, as part of the COAG process for the new National Partnership on vocational education and training, to hold a series of consultations with key industry players. I have already attended one roundtable, which will allow a broader debate on what should be included in the new National Partnership on vocational education and training as part of the COAG process. I think we do need to open it up to more input from other players.