International students
David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:16): (640) My question is for the Minister for Skills and TAFE, and it relates to a similar zone. Will the minister outline the impact on Victorian universities of the Commonwealth’s decision to massively slash the numbers of overseas students it will allow in coming years? And in particular, what will be the impact on the financial position of our universities?
The PRESIDENT: Similar to the previous question, I would question whether that comes under the responsibility of this minister. But, Mr Davis, I will put the question to the minister.
Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:17): There is no need for any points of order. I share responsibilities in terms of having a view with the Treasurer on this. I absolutely amplify the views that the Treasurer conveyed publicly today and yesterday, and I also have made my views known that we do not support the federal government’s position in relation to the capping of international student numbers. This, we believe, is not just a cap on student numbers but a cap on economic growth in this state. But it is not just an issue of economic growth, which is very important; it is also a recognition that not only do international students provide economic growth but they also are involved in our labour market, and they of course make a massive contribution to our social and cultural cohesion in this state. They are very close to our hearts, and as the Premier said as recently as last Saturday night at the multicultural gala dinner at the Pier, international students are very much part and parcel of our community, and we consider them to be as much Victorians as anyone else when they are living and studying in our state. We are very supportive of our international students.
In terms of the impact on universities, we do understand that in terms of the cap itself it will vary, and there have been public statements, and my office has been in constant contact with universities in respect to knowing more about the impact that it might mean. And it does vary; it is not across the board in terms of the severity of the impact, but we know that there are some universities that have said that the cap they will receive will be within their business plan and they will be able to cope reasonably well. But some will be hurt significantly, and then there are others that have had fairly substantial increases in international students that are in metropolitan Melbourne that will also be impacted. The University of Melbourne and Monash in particular have indicated that that will be the case for them.
In terms of those that believe that they can work through the issues, Deakin are saying that they can and that it is within their business plan, and La Trobe University, who have, as you know, quite a few regional campuses, are saying that they will be able to deal with it as well. But we know that Fed Uni has had some significant issues not just in relation to this issue but other issues that have come to the fore in recent times, and those of course will be exacerbated.
David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:21): I thank the minister for her answer and her obvious concern that is shared by many across the community about what the economic impact will be on Victoria. I accept the point that she has made that the impact will be different in different universities and will vary significantly across the state. But nonetheless it is clear that some universities will really be hit for a six or smashed, and I ask: will the minister convene a crisis meeting of our universities given the economic impact and the thousands of job losses that will occur?
Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:21): I wonder whether the member would have asked me that question in the middle of COVID – whether I would convene a crisis meeting of the universities – given that the federal government at the time refused to offer JobKeeper to the university sector. So let us get a bit real about all of this. My office and the department are in constant contact with the universities. We have made a submission to the federal government in relation to this issue. We will continue to advocate in terms of this issue, today, tomorrow and for the years to come, because we do believe that this will provide a significant impact on the livelihoods of many people but also in terms of the ongoing availability of those that are heavily involved in this sector. I meet with the vice-chancellors on a regular basis, and I have a vice-chancellors meeting soon as well as a meeting of chancellors, and this is absolutely on the agenda.