Universities Accord legislation passes

Key points

• Federal legislation aimed at widening access to university has passed after amendments were agreed to in the House of Representatives. Education Minister Jason Clare said the Universities Accord bill would add 230,000 places over the next decade and direct $3.6 billion in extra funding.
• Universities will receive needs-based funding tied to the number of disadvantaged students they enrol. Senator David Pocock and others raised concerns about ministerial powers, and a section on those powers was later removed after sector lobbying.
• Universities Australia welcomed the bill but said growth must be matched with funding.