Centres of mediocrity

University expansion has destroyed the pretence of academic excellence

Jason Clare has a 20-year plan to demolish what he calls "the invisible brick wall", depriving kids of Western Sydney of a university education.

Clare's metaphor was awkward. If a brick wall is invisible, how do we know there is one? Just because attendance at university by Fairfield school leavers is lower than the national average doesn't mean they hav…