The new uni-fees schedule rates a 'C' for economics and equity

As the profs retort, increasingly differentiated student contributions teem with "unintended consequences". In paraphrase, unis shorn of colossal overseas-student revenues will game the system more than usual.

A flat student fee, if moderate, would be more rational than the chaotic price signals of Tehan's clumsy social engineering.

The Department keeps spinning: "Teachers, nurses, engineers, scientists-these are the workers our economy needs-will see significantly lower student contributions."

Indeed, Nursing nearly halves, to $3,700 annually. Different story, elsewhere in Health.

"Allied Health" and "Other Health" are still $7,700. The prized Medical, Dental and Vet Science drop $55, to $11,300. Enough for a few ales at the uni bar.

These days, medicine is more open. Entitled kids still have the inside run.

Science (also Environmental Studies) and Engineering student contributions are still sizable, at $7,700. And government is cutting its contributions to all three. Will that give us the "workers" we need?

As we're "looking over there" at Nursing, Tehan also discounts Teaching, Agriculture, Mathematics, and Clinical Psychology. To $3,700.

These disciplines, I'm guessing, also train necessary "workers". But why position the last three science-related, on half the student contributions of six other science-related?

The package shirks social mobility and private reward issues

Tehan promises a "Regional Education Commissioner" with "$500 million a year to universities to support Indigenous, regional and low SES students". On less than 5% of federal uni funding, the Commissioner won't jolt inequalities of learning opportunity. He's a band-aid over our schooling disparities.

Compare us with socially-mobile Finland. Unaccountably reluctant, to emulate our divisive and discriminatory school system. As with other Finnish degrees, teaching aspirants don't face fees. Entry is keenly sought, though other professions earn more.