Who wouldnt have loved to charge up flying training to HECS like a uni degree is done.
If a Doctor can do it, and even the damn Lawyers that invented AWA's, we should be able to as well.
As for the pilot shortage (if it is really as bad as the whinging now), bring it on. Refuse upfront endorsements or look elsewhere. Bought time the public subsidises the low cost operators with their airfares and not the employees.
My 2 bits worth.....