"I see light in the tunnel because for the first time I believe universities in Australia are going to be deregulated, and universities are going to become true universities," he said.

"It's not going to be one size fits all as was in the Dawkins reforms [of the late 1980s]. The sandstone universities will be able to be the sandstone universities again and really compete on an international scale.

"I think that there are very brave moves being taken in Australian education at the present time to deregulate it, to stop micro-organising the universities, because this micro-control of the universities has been very difficult to watch. So I think you're about to witness a big change in Australian education."

Professor Messel said: "[O]ver the last six years I've noticed a continuing dumbing-down, both at the secondary and primary school levels and at the university level. This process is still going on, and I wonder when it's going to stop."

The Abbott government says its higher education package – which also extends government support to private colleges for the first time – will allow universities to play to their strengths.Labor and the Greens oppose allowing universities to set their own fees on the grounds increased course costs will deter some low and middle income students from entering university.The proposal has polarised the university sector.