What were Palmer and Pyne doing at dinner?

Clive Palmer having dinner with Mathias Cormann and Christpher Pyne in Canberra. Pic by Gary Ramage Source: News Corp Australia

EDUCATION Minister Christopher Pyne's university reforms look set to fail in the Senate partly because of a lack of backing from Clive Palmer's party, so maybe that's what they and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann were chatting about over dinner in Canberra.

Or maybe they were just hungry.

The two Liberals and the billionaire head of the Palmer United Party shared a Wednesday night meal as crossbenchers look to side with Labor to delay the Coaltion's controversial plans for higher education.

Clive Palmer with Mathias Cormann and Christopher Pyne in Canberra. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Corp Australia

The trio look pertty cosy. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Corp Australia

A 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 reforms.

Senator Muir sided with the government to continue debate on the changes in December, when they were defeated.

And then there's the Adelaide radio due Mr Pyne probably wouldn't have dinner with — listen to the awkward audio

Has a deal been struck? Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Corp Australia

Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Corp Australia

Senator Carr said the pair's position had been misunderstood for some time.

Mr Pyne said he would not give a running commentary on negotiations and 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.

Mr 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".

Clive Palmer leaves after dinner with Mathias Cormann and Christopher Pyne in Canberra. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Corp Australia