Failing the test: Australian universities in crisis

Great countries have great institutions, but Australian universities are a mess.

On this episode of Follow the Money, the Australia Institute’s Joshua Black and Jack Thrower join Glenn Connley to discuss the enormous cost of going to university, the absurdity of university vice-chancellors being paid more than the Treasurer, and why the practice of using international students as a political football must end.

This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 20 May 2025 and things may have changed.

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Guest: Joshua Black, Postdoctoral Fellow, the Australia Institute // @joshuablackjbv

Guest: Jack Thrower, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // ‪@jack-thrower

Host: Glenn Connley, Senior Media Advisor, the Australia Institute // @glennconnley

Show notes:

University is expensive, especially so for humanities students by Joshua Black and Jack Thrower (May 2025)

While Uni Vice-Chancellors rake in millions, young researchers struggle to survive by Jack Thrower, the Australia Institute (February 2025)

Elective spending at Australian universities by Joshua Black, the Australia Institute (April 2025)

Reforming university governance in Australia by John Quiggin, the Australia Institute (April 2025)

Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions 

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