A new report by consultancy firm KPMG attempts to ‘fix’ Australia’s vocational education system – but its policy proposals would instead damage our nation’s world-class university system.

A $393 million boost for major research infrastructure and 500 newly-funded pathway places into university for regional Australians are “a solid down-payment on future economic growth”.

Last month Josh Frydenberg released the  2021 Intergenerational report (IGR). A legacy of former Treasurer Peter Costello, the five-yearly IGR analyses “the long-term sustainability of current policies and how demographic, technological and other structural trends may affect the economy and the budget over the next 40 years.” In short, what Governments decide now matters well beyond the three-year federal electoral cycle. 

Thursday will see the first major meeting of the university sector and its leadership since COVID-19 closed Australia’s international borders and upended the lives of staff, students and their communities.

IVF. A cervical cancer vaccine. Shatter proof car wing mirrors. The bionic ear.