Senate set for uni funding debate

The Senate is expected to start its long-awaited debate on universities funding on Tuesday.

The government wants to deregulate university fees, expand commonwealth funding to private providers and degrees below bachelor level, cut the level of per-student funding and increase interest rates on HECS.

But its plans are stalled in the Senate with Labor, the Greens, Palmer United Party and most crossbenchers opposed.

Before that senators will again troop over to the House of Representatives, this time for an address by visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi after 10am.