PM, ministers head overseas for talks

The government's focus is heading overseas before the first sitting fortnight of spring ends, with Prime Minister Tony Abbott and two senior ministers jetting off.

Mr Abbott has headed to India, where he hopes to seal a uranium sale deal, and Malaysia.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Defence Minister David Johnston are attending the NATO leaders summit in Wales, where they'll accept a formal invitation for Australia to become an enhanced partner.

Back in Canberra, parliament will stick with a mammoth debate on higher education changes - so many MPs want to speak they will take up to 14 hours.