The thing that many don't understand is that principles are dependent on the situation. If one clings to a principle (such as anti-racism) to the exclusion of all other principles- this creates a parody. Socialism and social scientists seem to be such- usually people that suggest a course of action do it because it is in their benefit. The purpose of universities is to ensure that the nation keeps abreast of technology and learning in the Socratic style. When the students of the nation are substituted by foreigners- universities fail to fulfill their function and become irrelevant. Universities have failed to be loyal to the Australian people- this shows they have lost touch with the Australian people. The Australian people were fools to trust universities objectivity and integrity. Australian youth and others have been crowded out of universities- if there is a correction in immigration and the education industry- Universities will lose funds and it will take a while before Australian's start returning to universities- many university workers will lose their positions. Many universities have been given favourable treatment by the Australian people. If they fail to act in the interests of the Australian people perhaps the University Of Sydney and others will find themselves relocated to Alice Springs. And their beautiful historical buildings will be used for the benefit of the people that built them.

runner,

Don't put words into my mouth.
Read what I actually posted.
And kindly stop with the name calling
and labelling. That's intellectually lazy.

The best brains in the world are attracted to universities,
they exist to do only one thing - further human knowledge.

What we need to beware of is managerialism that is eroding the
very concept of a university. Making money - seemingly for the
sake of making money - this seems to be the "raison d'etre" of
the modern university. University Presidents or Vice Chancellors
are paid an order of magnitude more than their (often) more
accomplished professors for no other reason that the former
have come to see themselves as business people.

We have to remake the university if it is to continue to play
its true role in encouraging scholarship. It is in danger
of losing its relevance as a centre of learning.

The modern university, captured by a managerial class, views
higher education as simply another good to be produced and sold
according to the dictates of accountants. Charles Darwin
would not get a university job in the 21st century, given his
extremely poor publishing record. Consider this after being
paid to take extensive fieldwork over a number of years
when he traversed the world, spending considerable time in
the Galapagos Islands (which he would not have been
allowed to do today by his university 'managers') he sat on
his data (which was to form the basis of one of the most
influential books of all time, "On the Origin of Species') for
nearly 30 years before publishing it.

He would have been sacked soon after returning from the
Galapagos Islands if two or three journal articles (in his
day, more likely a manuscript) had not appeared within a year.
This is the tragic situation that now exists.

How many Charles Darwins will be (and have been) confined
to meaningless work in the office because they do not play
by the rules?

Our societies have forgotten that education is the prime
public good. The attempt to apply market principles is pure
economic nonsense. Only those societies able to produce a
surplus - and allocate a reasonable proportion of it to
public education - will be sustainable.

Foxy,
yes, sounds like someone extremely useful to society. He must have have had bags of money when he arrived here because being able to study & support himself for the required two years before becoming elible for welfare/financial assistance calls for substantial funding.

Indy,

You need to read the link I gave you.

He worked his way and worked hard. He spent years
at the Curtin Detention Centre (hell on earth).
Everything he has he had to work for. And now he's
helping so many people not only in Australia but
around the world. He's even been honoured by the
Queen. A truly exceptional human being.

His book "Walking Free" is worth a read.

he was kept in at the Curtin Detention Centre. He was released after 10 months and carried on his career in medicine, eventually specialising in osteointegration surgery.
Foxy,
In your link it says 10 months ,not years. It also says he was kept which means he was housed, fed & clothed. Then he carried on in his medical field which undoubtedly paid rather more than the average wage.
A migrant (a normal one) has to prove up front that he/she can support themselves for two years with the aid of a sponsor. I guess your medico chappie was able to study whilst in detention as do criminals in prison. Meaning, they don't have the overheads of rent & food that a normal migrant has.
Anyhow, my argument isn't about useful professionals, it is about those who depart Uni with a BA, call themselves Academics & then expect & demand that the Govt, actually the taxpayers, owe them a living for providing exactly what in return ? Any links to one of them ?