CORONAVIRUS — INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
24. Mr P.J. RUNDLE to the Minister for International
Education:
I
refer to government's backflip on the 5 February opening date and, now,
the second backflip on the date and method of entry for international
students.
(1) Can the minister table the health advice that the
Premier referred to, which purportedly states that international
students are low risk?
(2) Does the
minister acknowledge the mental health implications for students who have been
stranded around the world in various tenuous positions with no clarity from
this government?
Mr R.H. Cook interjected.
The SPEAKER: Order! Deputy Premier,
I am just calling you to order there. Minister for International Education, I think
this is the first question you have been asked.
Mr D.A.
TEMPLEMAN replied:
(1)–(2) Madam
Speaker, I am very proud to stand as the first Minister for International Education
in the state, which highlights the importance of international education not
only to the economy of Western Australia, but also to the state's
projection as a state that values education as an important part of our suite
of offerings to the international education sector. I tell members clearly that
since I was appointed, and since a range of
measures have been put in place, we have been meeting with key sector
representatives, including vice chancellors and private providers in the
international education sector, on how to make sure we can get to Western Australia
as safely as possible, and as quickly as possible, those students who are
enrolled in educational institutions in Western Australia. Approaching 1 000
students have already made their way into Western Australia. Those students are
enrolled in various courses throughout the sector, be they universities, TAFE
or other education providers. We are working very diligently. I applaud the
vice-chancellors, those involved in the
provision of education to international students and staff in the Department of
Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation—my
office—for the diligent work that they are doing to ensure that those
students arrive here safely.
Last week, we announced a range of
additional measures to support those students when they are here, including a $2
000 bursary for accommodation during quarantine and $500 for the universities
so they can continue to support those students. There is additional financial
support to private providers, because at the
meetings we have had that has been one of the issues that has been raised. The
government has been responding
consistently to this because we are focused absolutely on making sure that
international students get here and can resume the outstanding quality
of education that Western Australian education providers are renowned for and
continue to provide.
We will do that safely. The health
advice and the work that we are doing with the sector in continuing
conversations with the Department of Health and the Western Australia Police
Force will continue. I am very confident
that the additional measures that have been announced, including yesterday's
announcement, which means, of course, that international students can
arrive in WA not only through other states or territories, but also directly
into Perth, bearing in mind the current cap on international arrivals, which
the Premier requested to be doubled last week.
International
students are important. They are crucial. They are being strongly supported and
will continue to be supported. Indeed, as we look forward to ongoing
safe arrivals and the numbers continue to build, we will continue to support them. We will continue to encourage growth
in this industry going forward. It is a demonstration of how important
this sector is for Western Australia not only now, but going forward. I am very
pleased that the sector is working very closely with government and agencies to
ensure that we can welcome back these students safely and that they will be
supported when they arrive.