The Honourable Bill Shorten transitioned at the start of the year from cabinet to Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Canberra. His fresh eyes on the sector make him acutely aware of the need to embrace the needs of a broader range of generations in lifelong learning. He sees a greater role for technology for the learning of more diverse students through a wider array of skills-based offerings that recognise prior learning. In a settled political environment he sees hope for institutions that get on and innovate, and work as a sector together, more than fight with each other while telling everyone what they are good at, while asking for more money.