Independent ACT senator David Pocock is pushing for 27 changes to proposed university funding laws, including limits on ministerial powers and changes to equity funding that could benefit the University of Canberra.

The Universities Accord (Opening the Doors of Opportunity) Bill 2026 would introduce a managed growth funding system and needs-based grants for students from equity groups.

Senator Pocock said the bill was a welcome step towards implementing the Universities Accord but required further changes, including reform of the Job-ready Graduates scheme and a minimum floor to prevent the overall number of Commonwealth-supported places falling.

He has also called for further restrictions on powers given to the minister, arguing they could threaten university autonomy and academic freedom by allowing governments to prohibit or require particular courses.

“No government should have this kind of power to impose its ideology on universities,” Senator Pocock said.

His recommendations also seek changes to how disadvantage is defined for needs-based funding.

The University of Canberra told the committee the ACT was largely excluded from funding for low socio-economic status and regional students because the Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas did not adequately identify disadvantage in Canberra.

“Using these tables there are no Low-SES areas in the ACT,” the university said in its submission.

Senator Pocock is also seeking greater parliamentary oversight of the new funding system, including requiring key ministerial determinations to be subject to parliamentary disallowance.

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