My dear prime minister

Additionally, the need to recognise the first nations of this country in our constitution would be another important step towards reconciliation. This would also be a legacy achievement for your government and I am sure you would find cross-party support across parties.

The fifth area is marriage equality. I understand your religious convictions and personal hesitation in this area. My heritage is Greek Orthodox and my family remains highly religious, I understand the concerns about the sanctity of marriage. I will say, however, that the support of marriage equality is more likely to increase the importance of marriage within the community. By denying this right to millions of Australians, we are treating same sex attracted people as second-class citizens.

My final point relates to the importance of a vibrant university community. A well-funded and resourced university sector will provide Australia with the potential for greater economic success in uncertain times. Not only is the university sector fundamental export industry, but there is no better way to prepare for an indeterminate future than a well-educated and skilled workforce. Importantly, this is more than having a 'work ready' population – it is about ensuring our citizenry is armed with critical thinking skills to be prepared for both challenges and opportunities that we are yet to imagine. Ten years ago, positions such 'social media manager' or 'app developer ' did not exist, but today, they provide incredible opportunities for both individuals and our nation.

Core here is a liberal arts education that crosses disciplines. This would prepare graduates for a changing and uncertain world, and place Australia in the best possible to confront these challenges.

For various reasons, the last few years have been extremely divisive within our community. The issues that divide us should be secondary to those that bring us together. I believe that I have presented you with six areas where this should be the case.

Yours sincerely,

Professor James Arvanitakis