“Senator Duniam has held various Assistant Ministerial and Shadow Ministerial roles and has a wealth of experience to bring to the portfolio,” Universities Australia Chief Executive Officer Luke Sheehy said.

“We’re eager to work closely with him to ensure Australia’s universities can continue to provide the world-class teaching and research experiences Australians need and benefit from.

“I want to thank Senator Sarah Henderson for her contribution as Shadow Minister for Education in the last parliament. Senator Henderson was passionate and gutsy, and I will miss our robust discussions.

“I also want to congratulate Mr Scott Buchholz on becoming Shadow Minister for Skills and Training. We look forward to engaging with him across these important areas that are critical to our country’s future.

“International education remains an area of great focus for universities.

“We’ll work closely with new Shadow Minister for Home Affairs Andrew Hastie and Senator Paul Scarr in the immigration portfolio to bring much-needed certainty and stability to this important sector.

“Senator James Paterson and Mr Dan Tehan were wonderful to work with in these areas in the last term of parliament and I wish them both well in their new portfolios.

“We also welcome Melissa Price’s appointment as Shadow Minister for Science.

“In a complex and contested world, we need to develop new ideas and products to lift productivity and drive prosperity. Science is at the heart of that.

“Universities are critical to Australia’s future and our sector is ready and willing to partner with the new Coalition team to support our sector’s future growth for the benefit of all Australians.”