Senator FARRELL (South Australia—Minister for Science and Research and Minister Assisting on Tourism) (14:14): Thank you for the question. The short answer is: yes, I do agree with the Prime Minister, because that is in fact what we are doing. This government is committed to a strong university system and to ensuring that no Australian student is left behind. It is true that the government has announced a two per cent efficiency dividend in the year 2014 and a 1.5 per cent efficiency dividend in the year 2015 on university funding. This efficiency dividend will help fund A National Plan for School Improvement, which is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to properly resource Australian classrooms, teachers and schoolchildren. Despite the efficiency dividend, real funding— Opposition senators interjecting— Senator FARRELL: Listen to this—despite the efficiency dividend, real funding per student is still projected to increase to over $18,100 in 2017. Under Labor, funding for students to go to university has increased by 75 per cent— Senator Mason: Not per student, Don. Senator FARRELL: No, not per student. It has increased from $3.5 billion when you left government to $6.1 billion in this year. As a result of the record funding, 190,000 more students are now going to university compared to when you were in government. That is about the number of people in the town of Townsville. (Time expired) Senator Bernardi interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! I am waiting to give Senator Mason the call. He is entitled to be heard in silence. Senator Bernardi interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Senator Bernardi, I am waiting to call your colleague, who is sitting directly in front of you. Senator Mason deserves to be heard in silence.