Here’s a prediction: 2024 will be the year of education for the Albanese government. And all the ducks are being lined up for that to happen, with efforts under way to lift the dire academic performance of Australian schools and ensure more young people attend university.

At the same time, skill shortages are biting and there is a big question mark over whether universities are delivering on national productivity. After all, we’ve never had a more educated population but productivity is at a standstill. Something has to give and universities are in the firing line.