20 October

Most people don't really give a toss about unis. Except when they need advanced medical treatment, or advice on just about any topic, or experts in any area, which is every day. The fact that the largest proposed cuts in the entire budget were to universities, at a time when tax-free super, capital gains tax concessions, negative gearing and the "Future Fund" all went completely untouched, and $65 billion is to be given to mostly foreign interests in tax cuts, was just disgusting. Australia used to call itself The Clever Country. Universities are in the top 5 export earners for Australia, generating over $20 billion per year. Those who say they just sit up in ivory towers and think useless thoughts can stick that in their pipes and smoke it.