Abstract
The recent publishing history of the academic journal Melbourne Studies in Education is used as a case study illustrating the contradictions between Commonwealth Government calls to establish a ‘clever country’ of intellectual creativity and debate, and the economic rationalist dictates of the changes to Australian higher education flowing from the White Paper. On the one hand, the demand is for openness, risk taking and the practical application of intellectuality; on the other hand, educational resources are cut, academics' subsidising of journal production is discouraged and academic activities are evaluated in dollar terms. The consequences and contradictions of these policies are thrown into relief by the University of Melbourne's decision to cease subsidising the publication of Melbourne Studies in Education and the journal's subsequent transfer under new arrangements to La Trobe University School of Education.