Federal Politics Live: 2 December, 2014

And there I'll leave our elected representatives.

To sum up:

• the government's higher education reforms have been voted down by the Senate;
• they were supported by Ricky Muir, Bob Day, Daivd Leyonhjelm and John Madigan voted with the government;
• Labor, the Greens, Jacqui Lambie, Nick Xenophon, Glenn Lazarus and Dio Wang voted against the changes; but
• Education Minister Christopher Pyne will bring another package of reforms to the House of Representatives tomorrow.

As expected senators Ricky Muir, Bob Day, David Leyonhjelm and John Madigan voted with the government.

Senators Jacqui Lambie, Nick Xenophon, Glenn Lazarus and Dio Wang voted with Labor and the Greens.

Mr Pyne has issued a longer statement: "The Government will not be deterred and will move to introduce a new higher education reform package into the House of Representatives. It will be passed and sent to the Senate early next year. Great reform takes time." "This new reform Bill will include amendments proposed by cross bench Senators."

"It will include a university transition fund and create Australia's biggest scholarship scheme targeted towards disadvantaged and rural and regional students - of keen interest to Senator Ricky Muir."

"The Senate will have the Christmas holiday period to consider this new reform Bill. They will be presented with another opportunity to secure a sustainable higher education sector and provide more choices and opportunities for students."

And from Education Minister Christopher Pyne:

Instant reaction:

The Senate has voted down the government's reforms to higher education - 33 to 31 votes.

Senate President Stephen Parry calls for a vote on the government's higher education reforms.Credit: Andrew Meares

The bells are ringing to call senators to the chamber for a vote on the government's higher education legislation.

The Senate hears the debate on the government's higher education changes.Credit: Andrew Meares

Labor Senator Kim Carr interjects to say the $100 million package the government has just offered to universities with a large number of students from low socio economic backgrouns is "paltry".

Senator Payne: "That would have to be from the perspective of someone living in a complete intellectual vacuum."

(Also I should apologise to Labor Senator Penny Wong here whose title I keep mucking up. She is Labor's spokeswoman on trade and investment and the leader of the Opposition in the Senate.)

Senator Payne says claims of $100,000 degrees are "cruel and duplicitous".

"Going to university is now and will be based on whether a student has the ability to go to university."

Human Services Minister Marise Payne takes up the case for the government.

"Our HECS system is and will continue to be the envy of the world."