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Herald Sun 4 September 1997
by Kate Hannon
Foreign students studying in Australia rose by nearly 19 percent last year and the numbers showed little sign of being affected by the racism debate.
Federal Education Minister Amanda Vanstone yesterday said she was unable to confirm if the race debate inspired by Independent federal MP Pauline Hanson had had any significant negative effect on foreign student numbers.
But she said that, in the broader sense, Ms Hanson’s views were certainly damaging Australia’s chances of building an economic bridge with Asia. According to the latest official government figures, the Overseas Student Statistics are coming to Australia to learn. Last year the number increased by 18.9 percent to 143,067 students.
Students from South Korea had the biggest surge, rising by 46.4 percent. Other increases included Malaysia, a leap of 16.4 per cent, and Singapore, an increase of 19.4 percent.
A preliminary survey conducted in May by IDP Education Australia which co-ordinates foreign student enrolments for the universities, found students undertaking higher education in Australia was up again this year, but by a more modest 17 percent.
The survey found Singapore was the only Asian country where the number of students had dropped. The number of visas sought by students from Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong to study here fell during January to May, but rose for students from other countries.
Senator Vanstone said foreign students contributed more than $3 billion to the Australian economy and added a cultural richness and variety to the nation.
She said media reports of Ms Hanson’s comments meant Australia was not seen to be a welcoming or culturally diverse country
"Refugees would not be able to take advantage of Australian laws to delay
deportation under legislation introduced by the Federal Government yesterday.
"Immigration Minister Phillip Ruddock said under current laws refugees could
take their cases to the Federal and High Courts while receiving welfare.
But the government’s new judicial review scheme would restrict access to
the High Court and lessen the volume and cost of migration litigation.
"Opposition immigration spokesman Martin Ferguson said the Bill was contentious
and would be referred to a Senate committee."
See also: drop in Asian students studying in Australia.
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