INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION SECTOR

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:10): My question is to the Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education. Could the minister tell the house what steps he has taken to advocate South Australia's position to the federal government about changes to commonwealth policy that affect our important international education sector?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Treasurer, Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education) (15:10): As a matter of fact, I can.

Mr Williams interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for MacKillop, be quiet.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: I thank the honourable member and I would particularly like to thank the Premier for allowing me to continue in this absolutely critical portfolio for our state's future.

As members are no doubt aware, international education is one of South Australia's great recent success stories. Although we have recorded this remarkable success and gained a reputation for educational excellence worldwide, we are aware that we face challenges. The high Australian dollar, increased global competition, recent changes to visa policy for students entering Australia and the reduced skilled migration list are all factors that are making it difficult for students to study here in Australia.

In 2009, the commonwealth government made many changes to the requirements of international students, including financial requirements. Now prospective students from assessment level 4 countries must demonstrate that they can cover their tuition and living expenses for the entire time of their course. For a typical three-year bachelor's degree, this can be in excess of $100,000.

Other changes include longer visa processing times and less generous post graduation work visas, compared to our competitors like the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada. These changes have all had an effect on current and future enrolments for international students.

It is absolutely imperative that South Australia's voice is heard when it comes to anything that might have an effect on this valuable area that generates more than $1 billion in revenue for our state—

Mr Marshall interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Norwood!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: —and supports more than 6,500 jobs. Last week I led a delegation of South Australian representatives of the international education sector to meet with the commonwealth Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, the Hon. Chris Bowen, to put forth our views and concerns to the changes that will have a negative impact on the international student market in South Australia and the good reputation of Australia as a study destination.

I was accompanied by Mr Ray Garrand, the Chief Executive of the Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology; Professor Peter Hoj, the Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of South Australia (a very good man indeed and a very good vice-chancellor), representing the three universities of South Australia; Mr Gerald Lipman, the Chief Executive of the International College of Hotel Management and representative of the VET sector; and Ms Denise von Wald, the Chief Executive of Education Adelaide.

I can report to the house that minister Bowen was very receptive to the concerns of the South Australian delegation and has flagged his desire to address the needs of the international education sector within South Australia.

Further, my department and representatives of the education sector will be making a formal written submission to the Knight review, which is due to report to minister Bowen and the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, Senator Chris Evans, in the middle of this year. The review aims to improve the quality and integrity of the student visa program. What is disappointing is the way that the opposition spokesman for this area, the member for Unley, would act to wreck an industry worth more than $1 billion to the South Australian economy by misrepresenting the data of international students.

Mr WILLIAMS: Point of order, Madam Speaker.

The SPEAKER: Order! Point of order, member for MacKillop.

Mr WILLIAMS: The minister is imputing improper motive on an innocent member of the opposition.

The SPEAKER: I don't think that was too bad.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: The first time the member for Unley has been called innocent by anyone.

The SPEAKER: The Treasurer needs to be careful what he's saying.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Nonetheless, I'll accept it. I have great respect for the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, and if he thinks the member for Unley is innocent, then I will take his word for it, despite whatever personal misgivings I might have.

As of November 2010, South Australia had a growth rate of 1.8 per cent in comparison to Victoria's decrease of 3.6 per cent and, on average, a decrease of 1.6 per cent nationally. So, the rest of Australia has gone backwards and South Australia has improved the number of students, its growth, in this area. Clearly the member for Unley is a lot more interested in getting a quick media grab. He wants to advance his own leadership interests, more than he is interested in looking after an important sector of the South Australian economy, and the jobs of 6,500 South Australians who rely on this sector.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: As the Minister for Employment, Further Education and Training, I am working with our educational institutions to build this important export industry and to further enhance Adelaide's reputation as one of the world's great learning cities.