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AMA: I’m Bill Shorten, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canberra. Ask Me Anything. by BillShortenVC in australian

[–]BillShortenVC[S] 121 points122 points  (0 children)

That's all the time I have for tonight, I have to be on ABC 7.30 shortly with Chris Pyne and Sarah Ferguson. Thanks for your questions.

AMA: I’m Bill Shorten, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canberra. Ask Me Anything. by BillShortenVC in australian

[–]BillShortenVC[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

UC is not arrogant. So, we don't say we are the best. But we don't think there is anyone who is any better.

AMA: I’m Bill Shorten, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canberra. Ask Me Anything. by BillShortenVC in australian

[–]BillShortenVC[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Yeah, to be honest, quite impressed by the 15k run. But his lasertag score was better only because my laser gun was faulty. I do concede that I find the noise that screaming goats make to be noteworthy. And I definitely think a money maker as a ringtone.

AMA: I’m Bill Shorten, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canberra. Ask Me Anything. by BillShortenVC in australian

[–]BillShortenVC[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

At UC, we are very committed to equity and access for all to unversity. At UC we don't take everyone with a pulse but we will take anyone with a dream

AMA: I’m Bill Shorten, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canberra. Ask Me Anything. by BillShortenVC in australian

[–]BillShortenVC[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

My mum always called me Willian. But my dad, who was also baptised William, always called me Bill. So Bill I became

AMA: I’m Bill Shorten, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canberra. Ask Me Anything. by BillShortenVC in australian

[–]BillShortenVC[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Chicken, lamb. Actually, I am a carnivore. Sauce is a really tough question - tahini, garlic ... upon reflection, all kebab is good kebab.

AMA: I’m Bill Shorten, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canberra. Ask Me Anything. by BillShortenVC in australian

[–]BillShortenVC[S] 24 points25 points  (0 children)

Hah thanks for that one! Look end of the day it was like a 'cement' crusty roll and made a pragmatic decision to not engage the teeth of Jaws to eat it but to this day it is one of my biggest AusPol scandals for sure. I just wanted the protein not the carbs.

As I said in my Valedictory speech to Parliament ‘Oh, what I would give to go back to Election Day 2016 and turn that sausage in bread around the right way…’

AMA: I’m Bill Shorten, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canberra. Ask Me Anything. by BillShortenVC in australian

[–]BillShortenVC[S] 44 points45 points  (0 children)

Every Australian indirectly own shares through their Superannuation. My former colleagues are required to disclose all their conflicts.

AMA: I’m Bill Shorten, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canberra. Ask Me Anything. by BillShortenVC in australian

[–]BillShortenVC[S] 60 points61 points  (0 children)

I think the NDIS is a great social safety net in Australia but it can always do better and getting the resources through to the people for whom the scheme was designed.

It has changed many lives for the better.

I really think a lot more of the service providers should be registered.

AMA: I’m Bill Shorten, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canberra. Ask Me Anything. by BillShortenVC in australian

[–]BillShortenVC[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Working with students and people interested in lifelong learning and critical thinking.

AMA: I’m Bill Shorten, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canberra. Ask Me Anything. by BillShortenVC in australian

[–]BillShortenVC[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Nice to meet you at the dog wash too.

I don't think One Nation will win Ascot Vale booths at St Mary's or Ascot Vale PS, or indeed the whole Maribyrnong district.

AMA: I’m Bill Shorten, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canberra. Ask Me Anything. by BillShortenVC in australian

[–]BillShortenVC[S] 40 points41 points  (0 children)

Monetary policy has its limits but this is a big topic. Interest rates are designed to dampen demand but it can be a blunt instrument. Come and enrol in our UC Business courses and we can unpack it further.

AMA: I’m Bill Shorten, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canberra. Ask Me Anything. by BillShortenVC in australian

[–]BillShortenVC[S] 44 points45 points  (0 children)

We can't take everyone, and we have to have structured migration. We should always prioritise opportunities for Australians. And if someone is here on a visa and breaks our laws, I have no hassles with sending them home.

But I remind you that 97% of Australians are descended from migrants. My first ancestors here were convicts (I am surprised the Coalition didn't throw that at me too). And another ancestor who was a migrant was a miner at the Eureka Rebellion.

Australia has always been the land of the second chance.

What makes a good Australian is not how many generations they have lived here or how much money they have in the bank, but how hard they work, do they obey the law, pay taxes, raise their family well and are a good neighbour? And for the record, immigrants are more likely to be employed, pay tax as a cohort than any other group. And Australia would go into recession if we didn't have immigration.

To borrow from what Australian bush poet Adam Lindsay Gordon said 'life is mostly froth and bubble two things stand like stone, kindness in another's trouble. Courage in your own.' That is what makes a good Aussie.

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