Universities opposing Federal Government caps on international student numbers appear to have been definitively defeated.
Speaking in Parliament last week, Education Minister Jason Clare demonstrated why resistance is futile.
Mr Clare responded to concerns from Helen Haines, the independent member for the regional Victorian seat of Indi in Question Time. Why, she asked will the Government cut international student numbers when regional universities rely on the revenue they generate to, “educate the nurses, and doctors of the future.” The Minister did not point out that the Commonwealth funds student places for these professions and welcomed the question. Perhaps because it gave him an opportunity to expand on points he had discussed in the previous day’s meeting with Dr Haines.
He certainly took the opportunity to repeat the Government’s oft-announced reason for the caps, that it will deal “shonks” in the system – which seemed strange in an answer focused on universities, what with this being far more of a recognised problem in VET than HE.
Mr Clare also pointed to “positive comments” about the caps from La Trobe U, which has a campus on Dr Haines’ patch, plus the Australian Technology Network, has “indicated its support.” Mr Clare added Uni Queensland Chancellor Peter Varghese, “a man who has the respect I think of all members of this House” had made supportive comments.
But if there are problems with the Bill, “I am keen to work with you and I’m keen to work with Senators on this Bill to make sure that we get it right and make sure, for our universities and our other tertiary education providers who educate not just Australians but people from overseas, that we set this important industry up for the future.”
And he will too. When Mr Husic ended up with carriage of the legislation flowing from Industry Minister’s inept idea for a student entrepreneur start-up year, he supported a Senate committee having a look. If, as seems certain, a Senate committee looks at the international cap Bill, Mr Clare will probably agree to changes if only to address technical failings raised by government agencies.
But even if amended, the Bill will pass. University lobbies are divided, cancelling each other out and Mr Clare makes an effectively unchallenged case that his reforms are needed to protect the quality of international students, which will play better to his base than a dog-whistle to appeal to voters who think international students make a housing shortage. And it won’t be loudly opposed from the Opposition in the Senate, given Mr Dutton’s commitments to cut even further.
