Universities and Australia's Future

Watch leading constitutional expert and university reform advocate Professor George Williams AO as he outlines the bold changes needed to restore trust in Australia’s higher education system, in conversation with The Fifth Estate host Sally Warhaft. Originally presented on 19 February 2026 by The Wheeler Centre. In this revelatory session, Professor George Williams AO drew upon his vantage point as Vice Chancellor and President of Western Sydney University to set out the bold reforms needed to rescue Australia’s higher education system. He argued for a sector that abandons self-interest, reinvests in its students and re-earns its social licence through transparency, integrity and genuine public engagement. With rare candour, Williams unpacked how trust in universities has faltered and what must change to ensure the next generation of critical thinkers, researchers and innovators inherit institutions capable of meeting the moment. Don’t miss watching this timely edition of the first of our 2026 editions of The Fifth Estate with host Sally Warhaft. 🔔 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐓𝐮𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭-𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬    / @wheelercentre   𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 The Wheeler Centre is where writers, storytellers, thinkers and readers connect through live events, insightful conversations and compelling stories in Melbourne. 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 Live and digital conversations, debates, readings, podcasts and discussions at The Wheeler Centre. 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 👇 🔗 Website: https://www.wheelercentre.com/ 🔗 Instagram:   / wheelercentre   🔗 Facebook:   / wheelercentre   🔗Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wheelercentr... 🔗 LISTEN wherever you get your podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/TWCLISTEN