Integrity, Migration and Research on Fumes: Inside Australia’s Final ESOS Hearing

Australia keeps saying it wants a “Future Made in Australia”. But what happens when you starve the labs, research institutes and universities that are supposed to build that future, while talking tough on “integrity” and migration instead?

In this episode of Global Horizons, Dirk Mulder and Rob Malicki unpack the Senate committee’s final report on the Education Legislation Amendment (Integrity and Other Measures) Bill, and what the so called “final hearing” really means for international education, universities and research in Australia.

They trace the politics behind the ESOS changes, the push to give the minister sweeping powers, and the convenient narrative that keeps framing students as the problem, while much bigger issues in the migration system are left largely untouched.

Along the way, they connect the dots to the CSIRO job cuts, Australia’s anaemic research investment and a public debate that keeps missing the point on university surpluses and social licence.

In this wide ranging conversation, Rob and Dirk move from Parliament House to the lab bench to Circular Quay, where they also reflect on the NSW International Education Awards and what genuine sector leadership looks like.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Why the Senate committee has recommended the ESOS integrity bill pass “as is”, despite serious concerns from the sector

• How expanded ministerial powers risk undermining procedural fairness and certainty for institutions and students

• The growing problem with the “integrity” narrative around agents, commissions and international students

• The massive visa backlog that no one wants to talk about, and the curious lack of focus on graduate visas

• Why university surpluses are not the smoking gun people think they are, and what really drives uni finances

• How CSIRO job cuts reveal a research system “running dangerously low on fuel”

• What it would actually mean to treat research funding as core national infrastructure

• Victoria’s refresh of its international education strategy and why you should have your say

• A snapshot from the NSW International Education Awards, including Dirk’s quietly awkward moment as a finalist

If you care about the future of Australian higher education, international students and research, this is one of those episodes that helps you see how all the threads tie together, from Senate hearings to social licence to who actually pays for the ideas that power our economy.

Global Horizons is a production of The Global Society, Australia’s Learning Abroad support company. Our editor is Len Zamora and our distribution specialist is Angelo Ablao. Rob Malicki is the executive editor and host. The podcast wouldn’t be possible without The Koala News, Australia’s international education news website. This episode is supported by Choosing Your Uni, Australia's unique, AI-powered platform that helps domestic and international students to find the right institution for them, and that helps Australian institutions to access new markets.

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