Whitlam was correct!

November 24, 2025

https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/how-did-australian-universities-go-from-free-education-to-50000-arts-degrees-in-50-years/?utm_source=Pearls+%26+Irritations&utm_campaign=4dd8fe4e19-Weekly&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0c6b037ecb-4dd8fe4e19-745269477

George Williams’ timely article is a fascinating account of the impact of Neoliberalism on ‘our’ tertiary education system.

Despite what Neoliberalists argue, education is a merit good – the nation gains more from the collective result than the overall cost. Whitlam was correct about fees.

Concomitant with their performance to date, I don’t see this government doing anything meaningful. Instead of increasing by inflation, the costs of a degree and an individuals’ HECS debt could be reduced by 5 per cent year on year.

I am telling my grandchildren that if they want to attend a university away from home (and hence incurring accommodation and food costs), it is now cheaper to get an undergraduate degree in Europe than Australia!