During a visit to Dubbo on Wednesday the cabinet member continued to promote his government’s plans to allow universities to set their own fees, announced in this year’s budget.

Deregulation could assist institutions like Charles Sturt University, he said, as he contested high school graduates from Dubbo who wanted to study in metropolitan areas would not be disadvantaged by the reforms.

He was led on a tour of CSU’s dental clinic at Dubbo by university vice-chancellor Professor Andrew Vann, a man hoping to influence the shape of the reform. 

“We’ve certainly been a university that’s adapted to changes in the system and has thrived and been very entrepreneurial,” Professor Vann said.

“I think we do have some concerns about the pricing aspects of this, but we’d really like to thank the minister for coming to visit so that we’re able to talk about those and explain what those concerns are [and] hopefully find ways to improve some of the proposals.”

Mr Pyne said the reforms would benefit universities in rural and regional Australia because they would be able to “tailor their service to consumers they are trying to attract”.

“So for example, in competing with some of the metropolitan universities, they’ll be able to do so on price, cost of living and also lifestyle,” he said.

“Why wouldn’t young people be attracted to a university that’s offering a high quality degree or associate degree or diploma, living in a fabulous country town or rural setting where the cost of living is slightly lower and the lifestyle is even better than a lot of the metropolitan offerings.”

He highlighted plans to expand support currently offered to students in universities to include those at colleges or TAFEs registered as higher education providers.

Member for Parkes Mark Coulton, who accompanied the minister on his visit, welcomed the expansion of the scheme.

“This will mean local higher education providers such as the Australian Catholic University and Charles Sturt University can expand the range of courses they offer and to further improve the quality of courses,” Mr Coulton said.

“This may also see many local students paying less than they do now for their education as the government supports more higher education options.”

The Country Education Foundation of Australia last week raised concerns the reforms would drive up fees at some universities and prevent rural students from enrolling, but yesterday Mr Pyne attempted to allay fears.

He said rural students moving to the metropolitan areas would still be able to access existing support.