The Australian university sector has come under considerable pressure in recent years. It is currently in a parlous state.
Controversy swirls around hundreds of millions of dollars in underpayments to casual staff. Obscene salaries are paid to senior executives. Weekly announcements of course cuts and staff redundancies send a clear message that this is a sector in crisis.
For Emeritus Professor Graeme Turner, a highly respected humanities scholar and advisor to various governments and industry bodies, the Australian university sector is “broken”.
