Rod Camm from the Australian Council for Private Education and Training says the argument over public university funding is academic for his higher education members – what with the way they don’t get any and the state slugs their students for accessing loans.

“Private universities and higher education colleges provide real alternatives and choices for students seeking to access higher education. Many focus on specialised programs with courses targeting the particular needs of their students and industry. … Equitable and fair access to higher education should be provided for all students, regardless of their choice of provider and their circumstances.”

Fair enough, but university lobbies and government are a bit busy fighting each other just now to let another combatant into the ring.