The National-led coalition government has confirmed it will scrap the fees-free tertiary education scheme. The policy will be phased out with new entrants from next year losing access. The government justifies scrapping it because, it says, the policy failed its objectives, was poorly targeted and money is needed elsewhere. Much of the commentary has seized on the phrase ‘‘policy failure’’. It is true that the fees-free policy has failed, but not because it failed to improve participation of disadvantaged communities. It has failed because its utility was tied to participation rates in the first place. This is a trap for progressive governments. These governments know that universalising social supports is the best way to improve people’s lives. That is repeatedly evidenced in the outcomes of older people with universal superannuation. Universal superannuation is a good in and of itself because it provides financial support without judgement.…