Senator MASON (Queensland) (14:13): My question is to the Minister for Science and Research and the Minister representing the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research, Senator Farrell. Does the minister agree with the Prime Minister when she said in February 2010: If we are serious about the future, if we are serious about modernising the Australian economy, strengthening Australian communities and improving the lives of Australian families then we have to be serious about lifting the capacity and the performance of Australia's universities. If so, why has the government decided to rip $2.3 billion out of the higher education budget? Government senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! On my right! The time for debating the issue is after question time. The Minister for Science and Research and the Minister representing the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research has the call.