In a new paper for ANU’s National Security College Dirk van der Kley and Benjamin Herscovitch propose three preparations in case the PRC decides to make Australia a no-go education zone

* an all of government resource, with an ambassador for education leading an office charged with expanding other markets. “A key focus should be emerging markets across the Indo-Pacific and Africa”

* $20m to Austrade for “a cohesive Australian education brand akin to Tourism Australia.” Austrade should also expand in Africa and the Indo-Pacific by reducing its presence in Eastern Europe and Latin America

* replace federal oversight of universities’ overseas agreements with an international research register, managed by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment.

Dr van der Kley and Dr Herscovitch suggest making their props part of the 2030 international education strategy.