The higher education sector is a cornerstone of Australia’s society and economy. Yet, once again, we find ourselves exploited as a political football, burdened by reactive policy decisions.

This week brought yet more upheaval for the sector. International students have been thrust into the centre of a chaotic political storm, leaving the higher education system in limbo. With the federal government’s Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) legislation defeated before it could even be put to a vote, the punitive Ministerial Direction 107 (MD107) is now set to act as a “default cap” on international student enrolments. This will not be addressed until April next year.