Industry needs to "lift its game" in Australia and spend money on research and development, Bill Shorten says, while calling on universities to make their case to the public.
Speaking at an online event hosted by La Trobe University on Tuesday evening, the former federal Labor leader said in a world with competing priorities for resources, higher education had to explain the benefits of the sector.
"The world doesn't owe us at universities a living, we have to make the case," he said.
"When universities go to governments, they say, 'We're very good people, fund us'.
"That doesn't work any more.
"A lot of Australians don't know what universities do."
Mr Shorten, now the vice-chancellor of the University of Canberra, said a discussion with industry was needed about them paying for more of higher education.
"Industry needs to lift its game in this country. If you want an R&D (research and development) budget, how about you spend some money?" he said.
Mr Shorten said universities had to go beyond marketing themselves and ensure they prevented wage theft, in addition to giving domestic and international students a quality experience.
"If you want to convince politicians, perhaps you need to convince the people," he said.
The former cabinet minister quit politics after a 17-year career in federal parliament, deciding not to contest the May 3 federal election.
Mr Shorten held the inner-Melbourne seat of Maribyrnong since 2007, and stepped aside as Labor Party leader in 2019 after he lost the election to the coalition under the leadership of Scott Morrison.
