International Education

The Hon. M.L.J. HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite—Minister for Investment and Trade, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Defence Industries, Minister for Veterans' Affairs) (14:11): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. M.L.J. HAMILTON-SMITH: Today, the South Australian government took another step forward in attracting more international students to Adelaide. International education is one of the state's key exports, injecting around $1.2 billion into our economy in 2015 and creating thousands of jobs. Students from around the world go back to their parent nations as friends of South Australia or become migrants. Families and friends visit students and help stimulate the local economy. For these reasons, growing the number of international students in South Australia is a priority for the state government, part of its commitment to the Knowledge State.

Today, the inaugural meeting of the International Education Ministerial Advisory Council was held here at Parliament House. It drew together the many people and resources working in this sector. There were representatives from TAFE, private education providers, Catholic and independent schools, public and private universities, the marketing arm of government (StudyAdelaide) and the departments of education and state development.

Today's meeting received an overview of the Deloitte Access Economics Report on International Education in SA from Lachlan Smirl of Deloitte's which measured the contribution of international education to South Australia's GSP and outlines the opportunities for growth ahead. A report commissioned by the government from leading property management firm JLL Australia was tabled, which revealed that Adelaide performs better than most Australian capital cities when it comes to student accommodation availability.

We launched an action plan to ensure South Australia increases the number of international students, from the 2013 baseline figure of 28,300, to 35,500 by the end of 2017. We are on target to achieve that result. The 10-point plan was well received and already several components are well advanced. Working parties were established to coordinate our education efforts with the very successful trade missions run by the Department of State Development.

Everyone in the sector is trying to create jobs and opportunities while working to educate students. By working better together, we can achieve more, and that is the essential message for all involved in the sector. If we all succeed, the economy benefits and we all win. We know what we need to do. The advisory council and initiative to co-locate many agencies into one central area are making sure we do that even better. I thank all 22 representatives who took part today and look forward to a long and enduring partnership between the state government and international education providers.

Mr Tarzia interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Hartley is warned for repeatedly interjecting.