This study reviews the media discussion of tertiary education during and after the 2016 federal election. It identifies a series of key questions which went largely unanswered by politicians. Supported by comments from fellow Research Associates of the TJ Ryan Foundation, Scott argues that there is a role for a wide-ranging public inquiry as a basis for establishing an ongoing independent authority to safeguard the wider public interest. This needs to be broader in scope than the current federal government review of funding options.