❓ Mr. Rundle questions the effectiveness of international student bursaries in regional areas given potential accommodation shortages. The Minister defends the program, highlighting its benefits and accusing Mr. Rundle of negativity.
AnsweredQoN 810Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
810. Mr P.J. RUNDLE to the Minister for International
Education:
I have a supplementary question.
Can the minister enlighten me how
the $5 000 bursary for up to 200 students in the regions will help if we cannot
provide them somewhere to live?
810. Mr P.J. RUNDLE to the Minister for International
Education:
I have a supplementary question.
Can the minister enlighten me how
the $5 000 bursary for up to 200 students in the regions will help if we cannot
provide them somewhere to live?
AnswerView source ↗
That is quite interesting. I remember
when the member brought forward a motion in private members' business,
I think about two months after I became the first Minister for International
Education for the state, condemning us for not making any achievements in
education. Let us be very clear: the government has made a very significant budget allocation. It is a record amount of money
that is focused on ensuring that we create a pipeline of international students now and into the future that will be delivered through a range of
measures, including bursaries. If the member does not want international
students in the regions, I do not know why, because I do.
We
have a range of bursaries that we are seeking to use to create opportunities in
places like Geraldton, Broome, the south
west and other regional centres. We will work with the local communities on
accommodation options, including homestay. I keep highlighting that to
the member.
Rather than being negative and
trying to bring down the sector, I encourage the member to go out and advocate
in his community and his regions for people to open up their homes to
international students through the homestay scheme. Those things will only
benefit his community because a lot of national students come to WA to not only
learn, but also take up jobs in the hospitality industry, and even in the
farming and agriculture sectors. Do not be so negative. Why does the member
keep promoting Western Australia negatively? Come in here and be positive. Use
the last two days of Parliament to shout out loudly that Western Australia is
the best place for an international student to come to. That is why they are
coming in large and growing numbers, and will keep doing it. They certainly
will not want to listen to the member.
when the member brought forward a motion in private members' business,
I think about two months after I became the first Minister for International
Education for the state, condemning us for not making any achievements in
education. Let us be very clear: the government has made a very significant budget allocation. It is a record amount of money
that is focused on ensuring that we create a pipeline of international students now and into the future that will be delivered through a range of
measures, including bursaries. If the member does not want international
students in the regions, I do not know why, because I do.
We
have a range of bursaries that we are seeking to use to create opportunities in
places like Geraldton, Broome, the south
west and other regional centres. We will work with the local communities on
accommodation options, including homestay. I keep highlighting that to
the member.
Rather than being negative and
trying to bring down the sector, I encourage the member to go out and advocate
in his community and his regions for people to open up their homes to
international students through the homestay scheme. Those things will only
benefit his community because a lot of national students come to WA to not only
learn, but also take up jobs in the hospitality industry, and even in the
farming and agriculture sectors. Do not be so negative. Why does the member
keep promoting Western Australia negatively? Come in here and be positive. Use
the last two days of Parliament to shout out loudly that Western Australia is
the best place for an international student to come to. That is why they are
coming in large and growing numbers, and will keep doing it. They certainly
will not want to listen to the member.
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