Palmer tells Pyne PUP will vote against education reforms

CLIVE Palmer has written to Christopher Pyne opposing plans to deregulate tertiary fees and warning PUP will vote against the reforms.

Clive Palmer has written to Christopher Pyne opposing education reforms.

CLIVE Palmer has written to Christopher Pyne opposing plans to deregulate tertiary fees, in a further threat to the Education Minister’s university reforms.

The Palmer United Party leader, whose three senators are crucial to passing any legislation opposed by Labor and the Greens, claims the reforms will “destroy” the Australian education system and calls for degrees to be completely subsidised by taxpayers.

However the threat is likely to be treated with scepticism, given the PUP leader’s policy reversal on Tuesday over the abolition of the mining tax.

On Monday, Mr Palmer tweeted: “Ill-conceived mining tax repeal bill wont pass Senate without low income super contribution, income support bonus & the schoolkids bonus.”

The next day, his senators passed the mining tax repeal bill, abolishing all three measures from 2016.

In a statement, Mr Palmer said he had written to Mr Pyne “advising him all Palmer United Party senators will vote against his education reform proposals”.

“Deregulating universities just means they will cost more for all Australians to have a decent education to provide for their families,” the statement read.

“The government should direct its funding to abolish university fees and have a free higher education system to enable all Australians to have the ability to go to university.”

Labor and the Greens are opposing the government’s reform plan, which includes allowing universities to set their own fees and imposing a higher interest rate on student debt.

The government says the changes will put universities on a stronger financial footing and open up courses to a wider range of students.

Family First senator Bob Day and the Liberal Democrats’ David Leyonhjelm are expected to vote for the legislation, but the government needs another four crossbench votes.

The legislation passed the lower house on Thursday but the Senate is unlikely to consider it until next month.

An inquiry into the bill may delay its debate until October 28, when the committee reports to the Senate.

Mr Palmer’s statement urged the government to abandoning its $22 billion overhaul of paid parental leave and “other extravagant measures”.

Mr Pyne says he has had “many positive discussions” with Senate crossbenchers.

“I will continue to talk to all the crossbenchers about the vital need for these reforms,” he said.

“The university sector has also communicated its support for the reform package, with some modifications.”

Additional reporting: AAP