The Government has chosen to leave an immigration oversight on hold until quotas are in place and Swinburne U VC Pascale Quester is cross indeed; saying potential for “unity and progress” under the Accord is no more.
“Instead, we are now faced with knee-jerk decisions, black-box decision-making processes and unprecedented levels of uncertainty. The rationale provided for this freeze is to create more certainty, but it will instead foster division and delays,” Professor Quester said.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Bourke has announced a “pause” on the Evidence Level changes due now, until the international student quotas legislation is passed.
Evidence Levels rate providers, according to outcomes of visa applicants seeking to study with them. Ratings are based on a range of factors, including visa cancellations for people studying at an institution, cases of fraud, visa overstays, “becoming unlawful non-citizens” and applications for protection visas. The lower a provider’s level, the easier it is for international students who want to study there to qualify for a visa.
Professor Quester says the hold on level changes, “will continue to disrupt the plans of numerous international students, who are essential to Australian society and the economy, further undermining the trust and confidence that international students place in the Australian education system.”
Providers “who have taken decisive action to improve their processes will be penalised,” she said.
It’s not just the Feds who annoy her. Professor Quester also urges the Government “to avoid policies that appear to simply encourage cartel-like behaviour by some universities.”
No, she does not say which ones.
