The House of Reps passed the academic integrity bill on Friday

The legislation targets commercial providers of essay-writing services for students (CMM December 5 2019), which “undermines the integrity of Australia’s higher education system.”

There was a good deal of debate last year as to whether it is the best way of addressing the issue or whether over-assiduously applied the legislation could capture parents and friends helping a student struggling with an assignment. “We need a national conversation about where, exactly, the line is between cheating and feedback, collaboration and collusion,” Melissa Zaccagnini, and colleagues argue (CMM September 22 2019). 

The government and TEQSA have made it clear that commercial providers are the target but the debate will roll-on after the legislation is rolled-out.

Labor,”is very concerned” about vulnerable students targeted by cheating services and wants universities to ensure students, “have somewhere to go for help”.

However, CMM understand the Opposition will support the bill.