When I met with Universities Australia they were furious as to my right to go to the minister and I informed them that I was a free agent and didn’t need their permission to put a plan to the Minister at the time. They point blank told me that – telling the minister that I had identified savings of $500M would mean that the minister would cut their budgets by that much. I countered by saying that the minister would increase the budget on a dollar for dollar savings basis and they scoffed.

When the minister considered my proposal (put to her through her senior advisor at the time) she increased the University Endowment Fund from 1.2B to 1.7B. Well, you can imagine what happened – yes, the CEO of Universities Australia called is a ‘Wonderful’ outcome and took it all in a shower of glory – but he did none of the work – and I did it for no reward.

Well, years down the track – were they able to deliver savings? No. Now they have had their chance and they can not be trusted to reduce costs – it’s going to be done for them. Yes, write to me – alexander.ziggy000@gmail to verify this story bonafide.