Lunch-time yesterday Education Minister Dan Tehan released a list of  $1bn worth of projects the coalition has provided regional HE since 2016

A reason to do it yesterday appeared later when Nine Newspapers reported junior Nationals minister (decentralisation and regional education) Andrew Gee is worried what some aspects of Mr Tehan’s new funding model for universities could mean for regional communities.

This follows a meeting of regional uni VCs and chancellors last week convened by Mr Gee, for “an open discussion on the Australian Government’s proposed changes to tertiary education sector.”

“It is crucial that we listen and understand the unique challenges faced by country universities, while also positioning them to take full advantage of future opportunities,” Mr Gee said then.

It’s what Nats do –Mr Gee was a strong voice for the Murray Darling Medical School proposal, sponsored by Charles Sturt U, which has two campuses in his seat, Calare, (CMM, May 31 2017, March 29 2018).

But it’s not like Mr Tehan needs to have the needs of regional campuses explained. Deakin U Warrnambool is in his electorate of Wannon – much of which makes Calare look cosmopolitan.