Victoria Shadow Minister for Tertiary Education and Training Peter Hall

BRUMBY GOVT IDLE WHILE 10,000 JOBS PUT AT RISK

Victor P Taffa

Premier John Brumby and his government have remained idle while International Student Enrolments – Victoria’s Largest Export Income Business – continue to plummet, Shadow Minister for Tertiary Education and Training and Nationals Leader in the Legislative Council Peter Hall said today.

 “Labor has stayed silent while international student enrolments have fallen dramatically, costing Victoria more than a Billion Dollars.” Mr. Hall said.

“According to visa applications data and modelling by Access Economics for the Australian Council of Private Education and Training, 40,000 fewer international students will enrol with Victorian providers next year.”

“This slump is estimated to cost 10,000 jobs and more than a billion dollars in export income, yet John Brumby remains silent.” Mr. Hall said.

 “John Brumby should be promoting our biggest industry and lobbying Julia Gillard to minimise the fall-out from recent changes to the Skilled Occupation List and student visa conditions.”

 “If John Brumby is not prepared to stand up for Victoria, it is clear that he is rolling over for his former chief of staff whose policies led to this dramatic fall in student numbers.”

 Mr. Hall said up to 10 of Victoria’s biggest private colleges were believed to be under severe financial strain and new course approvals are reportedly being rushed through in breach of proper standards in a desperate bid to attract much-needed students.

 “Quick course approvals may stem the decline of enrolments in the short term but without proper standards the integrity and reputation of the industry will be damaged.” Mr. Hall said.

 “John Brumby must end his silence and urgently take steps to promote and strengthen our Education Industry.”

 “While it is important to take action against so-called dodgy providers, Labor is doing very little to help sound and ethical public and private education providers that are the backbone of this multi-billion-dollar industry.” Mr. Hall said.