The cost of going to uni

Wasteful spending

International students

What the government can do

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.

Order ‘After America: Australia and the new world order’ or become a foundation subscriber to our Vantage Point series and save 25% on the Australia Institute website.

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 

We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au.

Great countries have great institutions, but Australian universities are a mess.
On this episode of Follow the Money, the Australia Institute&rsquo;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.
Order &lsquo;After America: Australia and the new world order&rsquo; or become a foundation subscriber to our Vantage Point series and save 25% on <a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/australia-institute-press/">the Australia Institute website</a>.
Guest: Joshua Black, Postdoctoral Fellow, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/joshuablackjb.bsky.social">@joshuablackjb</a>v
Guest: Jack Thrower, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/jack-thrower.bsky.social">‪@jack-thrower</a>
Host: Glenn Connley, Senior Media Advisor, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/glennconnley.bsky.social">@glennconnley</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/university-is-expensive-especially-so-for-humanities-students/">University is expensive, especially so for humanities students</a> by Joshua Black and Jack Thrower (May 2025)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/while-uni-vice-chancellors-rake-in-millions-young-researchers-struggle-to-survive/">While Uni Vice-Chancellors rake in millions, young researchers struggle to survive</a> by Jack Thrower, the Australia Institute (February 2025)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/elective-spending-at-australian-universities/">Elective spending at Australian universities</a> by Joshua Black, the Australia Institute (April 2025)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/reforming-university-governance-in-australia/">Reforming university governance in Australia</a> by John Quiggin, the Australia Institute (April 2025)
Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions&nbsp;
We&rsquo;d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to <a href="mailto:podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au">podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au</a>.

Economics and politics explained in plain English

Economics and politics explained in plain English

Follow The Money

Economics, politics and policy explained in plain English.

Economics, politics and policy explained in plain English.

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

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