The government's university reforms mark II are yet to reach the Senate but they already look set to fail.
In a signal of their opposition, a coterie of crossbench senators have supported a Labor push to investigate alternatives to fee deregulation.
The motion by opposition higher education spokesman Kim Carr for a five-week inquiry attracted support from the Greens, independents Nick Xenophon and Jacqui Lambie, Motoring Enthusiast senator Ricky Muir, and Palmer United Party Senate leader Glenn Lazarus.
The support from senators Xenophon and Muir in particular is significant because the government is wooing them as it makes a second attempt to pass its higher education reforms.
Senator Muir sided with the government to continue debate on the changes in December, when they were defeated.
Senator Carr said the pair's position had been misunderstood for some time.
Education Minister Christopher Pyne said he would not give a running commentary on negotiations.
He was unfazed about the latest committee inquiry.
The second version of the government's package is being debated in the House of Representatives.
It's unlikely to get to the Senate before March. The inquiry will report on March 17.
PUP leader Clive Palmer told the lower house on Wednesday the coalition's campaign to pass the reforms in the face of clear opposition was arrogant.
"Only an idiot expects to get a different outcome from repeatedly doing the same thing," he said.
Deputy Greens leader Adam Bandt followed a similar line, saying that "for an education minister, Christopher Pyne is a pretty slow learner".
Meanwhile, the parliamentary human rights committee said plans to cut Commonwealth funding to universities might breach the right to education.
The Liberal-chaired committee argued the total cost of education would rise as a direct result of the proposed cut.
It also said if fees rose under deregulation, the affordability and accessibility of higher education would be reduced.
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