During the debate over the JRG bill, Labor Senators correctly noted that the peculiar targeting of the humanities and social sciences on the grounds of their graduates not being job-ready was also “wrong”. They noted that these disciplines “offer students robust generalist educations, with strong employment prospects upon completion ... [T]he evidence is that, three years after completion, [arts] graduates are employed at the same rate as science or maths graduates.”
 
Subsequent research, in Australia and elsewhere, confirms this remains the case. The 2024 Australian Universities Accord Final Report declared that the JRG package had “failed.” It highlighted that many more students now face crushing debts, with fees for most BAs approaching $50,000, and, at the same time, that arts disciplines “critical for future jobs and innovation” are being reduced.
 
We are profoundly disappointed that the Albanese government has still not acted on its 2021 convictions and repealed JRG. The delay has had cascading and damaging consequences.We urge the government to abolish JRG and to institute a new fee regime which does not punish students who choose to study the humanities and social sciences. Our university sector should instead reflect the values of a society that takes a humane and ethical responsibility for its past and future.

The need to replace JRG with a fairer and more effective policy could not be more urgent. In an era of severe international turmoil, climate crisis, rising disinformation, and declining trust in democratic principles, a higher education in subjects that stress global knowledges, reasoned debate, and civic literacy is paramount. Graduates of the humanities and social sciences are well placed to address the meaning and source of many of the hatreds and prejudices driving the world today. Their core skill is in critical and analytical thinking. And through their comparative, historical, or philosophical studies, they understand the singular fragility of democracy.
 
As our nation faces uncertain geopolitical trends, we must also ask ourselves: if younger Australians do not undertake the study of our region, our contexts, our antiquity, our heritage, and our values, who, precisely, will?

We urge the government to abolish JRG and to institute a new fee regime which does not punish students who choose to study the humanities and social sciences. Our university sector should instead reflect the values of a society that takes a humane and ethical responsibility for its past and future.

*please check spam if the confirmation email never reaches you, or try a different email address:)