“The Future Made in Australia agenda is an ambitious plan to keep Australia globally competitive through the energy transition,” Universities Australia Chief Executive Officer Luke Sheehy said.

“Universities are partners of the Government in this task, and we welcome the introduction of legislation to the Parliament to support its delivery.

“We can’t have a clean energy future without a strong pipeline of skilled workers and research to drive the development of new industries and create new technologies to support the transition.

“Our universities are already educating graduates and undertaking research in support of this goal, but we need greater funding and policy stability and support to continue these activities.

“The Government’s crackdown on international students is providing anything but stability and support, serving only to destabilise universities at a time we are being asked to do more.

“Our sector has come to rely on international student revenue to fund teaching, research and infrastructure activities in the face of decreasing support from Government.

“We need a strong and robust university system to deliver opportunities, success and prosperity for all Australians, including through the delivery of a Future Made in Australia.”