The Australian Council of Deans of Science warns he proposed reduction in funding per student assumes teaching and research are separate.

Not so, the deans warn – high quality teaching is informed by research and income from students covers the up to 70 per cent of research support costs not covered by grants.

With international student income diminished, “the most significant consequence” of the reduced funding rate for student place, “is a crippling loss in research capacity.”

The deans acknowledge the government is looking at a new funding model for research, “but it makes no sense to tear down existing mechanisms for funding research before new ones are put in place.”

They urge the government to delay the bill until a Senate committee considers its impact on STEM teaching and research. Perhaps they should also find a friend in the National Party.