“Ms Nash is fierce and fearless advocate for the bush,” Universities Australia Chief Executive Officer Luke Sheehy said.

“She has done an outstanding job as Australia’s inaugural Regional Education Commissioner and her reappointment is testament to the runs she has on the board.

“Australia’s growing need for more skilled graduates means we need to open the door to university for more people from regional areas.

“Ms Nash is getting on with the job of helping make this happen.

“Regional universities are central pillars of the communities they exist in, supporting thousands of local jobs and working with industry to meet the needs of the nation.

“Our regional institutions are among the hardest hit by the Government’s destructive Ministerial Direction 107 and we’re continuing to call for its removal to alleviate the financial impact it’s having.

“We look forward to continuing to work closely with Ms Nash to get the best outcomes for regional universities, regional Australians and our nation more broadly.”