We also welcome Karen Andrews as Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills and Craig Laundy as the new Assistant Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science.

Universities Australia Chief Executive Belinda Robinson said the sector looks forward to working with Ministers to enable Australia’s university system to generate new jobs and economic opportunities for the benefit of all Australians.

“Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has emphasised again today that a major focus for this term will be to deliver the economic security that Australians expect,” she said.

“The reappointment of Minister Birmingham brings welcome continuity to this crucial portfolio. We thank him for his consultative approach to discussions with the sector in the last term of Parliament.”

“We look forward to continuing that constructive working relationship with him through the options paper process that he announced on Budget night.”

As Christopher Pyne moves from the Industry, Innovation and Science portfolio to take on new Defence Industry responsibilities, Ms Robinson noted the funding announcement last December for research facilities funded through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy.

“We thank Minister Pyne for working closely with the university sector in his previous portfolio – in particular to ensure that funding commitment for NCRIS for the next decade,” Ms Robinson said.