International Education Strategy

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (15:04): Can the minister list the key countries that students are coming from to participate in South Australia's international education programs?

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment) (15:04): I thank the honourable member for her ongoing interest. Clearly, China is the largest country that we have international students from. It was 41 per cent; it may have just dropped down to 38 per cent. As for the other countries that are of significance, clearly India is an important country and some of the countries in South-East Asia, such as Indonesia and the Philippines. We are also seeing Latin America: Mexico and Brazil are two that are identified. Nepal is also one that we are seeing good numbers from.

I think China has just dropped below 40 per cent—it may be about 38 per cent—but there is a large cohort of people who come from all over the world. The key ones, as I will repeat again, are India, Nepal, South-East Asia and, clearly, Latin America—Mexico and Brazil. We are also having some from Mauritius and some parts of the other side of the Indian Ocean; some interest from Africa as well. We have a really diverse offering here. It is great to meet some of the students when they have come from Mexico and Brazil. They do enrich our culture, Mr President.