❓ Opposition questions Premier on impact of migration policy changes on international student numbers at WA School of Mines and potential job losses. Premier deflects, highlighting mining industry growth and international student initiatives.
AnsweredQoN 97Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
MIGRATION — WA
SCHOOL OF MINES — INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
97. Mr W.R. MARMION to the Premier:
I refer to the extremely concerning
article in today's paper that shows that the number of academics has
declined at the internationally recognised and world-leading Curtin University's
WA School of Mines. Is the Premier aware of industry concerns that his changes
to migration policy have significantly contributed to declining international
student numbers that will result in significant job losses at this school?
SCHOOL OF MINES — INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
97. Mr W.R. MARMION to the Premier:
I refer to the extremely concerning
article in today's paper that shows that the number of academics has
declined at the internationally recognised and world-leading Curtin University's
WA School of Mines. Is the Premier aware of industry concerns that his changes
to migration policy have significantly contributed to declining international
student numbers that will result in significant job losses at this school?
AnswerView source ↗
That is a very convoluted and
unusual question! I do not know the article —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr M. McGOWAN : I do not know
the article to which the member is referring, but I can talk about the mining
industry and I can talk about international students.
When it comes to the mining
industry, we have seen major expansion of all sorts of projects across Western Australia.
BHP, Rio Tinto and Fortescue Metals Group have the confidence to invest once
again, and we have seen thousands of jobs created in the iron ore sector across
Western Australia.
When it comes to oil and gas, as we
know, we are working very cooperatively with Woodside in particular to bring
Browse and Scarborough gas onshore, which is something that would not have
happened under the last government. The investments in iron ore would not have
happened because of the division between the Liberals and Nationals. What we
also find under this government is a focus on lithium and hydrogen. For the
first time ever, we have a government that is looking at renewable hydrogen in Western
Australia, which I personally think is a large part of the world's
energy future, and our children and grandchildren will be grateful that this
state has finally started to focus on that.
When it comes to lithium, a range of
lithium projects are starting up across Western Australia. I am particularly
keen on Kemerton, and I want to make sure we maximise the jobs for local people
in the Bunbury–Collie area out of the Kemerton project. I think there
are huge opportunities for people in Collie out of Kemerton and the Albemarle
project.
When it comes to international
students, I held, in conjunction with the Governor, a major function on Sunday
night. We invited all the international students and their parents—this
was the first time it had ever been done—to the Government House
gardens for an event.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr M. McGOWAN : I noticed that
Liberal Party members did not show up! They were invited but could not be
bothered to come.
When it comes to international
education, we have launched a strategy and an action plan. We have got some
funding behind it and we have employed Rod Jones to run the program on our
behalf. For the first time ever, there is a plan behind international
education.
Ms L. Mettam interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Vasse!
Mr M. McGOWAN : As we have
seen, over the course of the last government, there was no strategy and no plan—nothing.
Under this government, we have put that in place.
unusual question! I do not know the article —
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr M. McGOWAN : I do not know
the article to which the member is referring, but I can talk about the mining
industry and I can talk about international students.
When it comes to the mining
industry, we have seen major expansion of all sorts of projects across Western Australia.
BHP, Rio Tinto and Fortescue Metals Group have the confidence to invest once
again, and we have seen thousands of jobs created in the iron ore sector across
Western Australia.
When it comes to oil and gas, as we
know, we are working very cooperatively with Woodside in particular to bring
Browse and Scarborough gas onshore, which is something that would not have
happened under the last government. The investments in iron ore would not have
happened because of the division between the Liberals and Nationals. What we
also find under this government is a focus on lithium and hydrogen. For the
first time ever, we have a government that is looking at renewable hydrogen in Western
Australia, which I personally think is a large part of the world's
energy future, and our children and grandchildren will be grateful that this
state has finally started to focus on that.
When it comes to lithium, a range of
lithium projects are starting up across Western Australia. I am particularly
keen on Kemerton, and I want to make sure we maximise the jobs for local people
in the Bunbury–Collie area out of the Kemerton project. I think there
are huge opportunities for people in Collie out of Kemerton and the Albemarle
project.
When it comes to international
students, I held, in conjunction with the Governor, a major function on Sunday
night. We invited all the international students and their parents—this
was the first time it had ever been done—to the Government House
gardens for an event.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr M. McGOWAN : I noticed that
Liberal Party members did not show up! They were invited but could not be
bothered to come.
When it comes to international
education, we have launched a strategy and an action plan. We have got some
funding behind it and we have employed Rod Jones to run the program on our
behalf. For the first time ever, there is a plan behind international
education.
Ms L. Mettam interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Vasse!
Mr M. McGOWAN : As we have
seen, over the course of the last government, there was no strategy and no plan—nothing.
Under this government, we have put that in place.
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