❓ The Premier responds to concerns about the delayed communication regarding the return of international students, outlining the government's plan for border reopening and collaboration with universities.
AnsweredQoN 745Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CORONAVIRUS — INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
745. Ms M.J. DAVIES to the Premier:
I refer to reports that the state
government met with vice-chancellors of Western Australian universities
yesterday to discuss welcoming back international students in 2022.
(1) Does the
Premier concede that his failure to communicate with universities earlier and
release a plan for reopening has seriously jeopardised our chances of getting
the 5 000-plus international students back on campus in semester 1?
(2) How are universities supposed to start planning
properly without a date set for the reopening of our border?
745. Ms M.J. DAVIES to the Premier:
I refer to reports that the state
government met with vice-chancellors of Western Australian universities
yesterday to discuss welcoming back international students in 2022.
(1) Does the
Premier concede that his failure to communicate with universities earlier and
release a plan for reopening has seriously jeopardised our chances of getting
the 5 000-plus international students back on campus in semester 1?
(2) How are universities supposed to start planning
properly without a date set for the reopening of our border?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) It
is true that the Minister for Tourism, the Minister for Education and Training
and other ministers have been holding round
tables, as I said that we would do a few weeks ago, with important industries
around the state with a view to working out exactly how we transition
back to having open borders with New South Wales, Victoria and internationally.
Yesterday afternoon, the Minister for Education and Training had a round table
with a range of education providers in the Aboriginal People's Room
upstairs and I went and visited. What I said
to them was that we announced our safe transition plan last week and that the
border with New South Wales, Victoria
and internationally will open at some point in late January or early February , which we will define in early December and,
therefore, they can plan for having students back for the first semester. Just so that members know, universities and TAFEs take in their
students, and university starts in late
February, so, obviously, if borders open in late January or early February,
there will be plenty of time for them to get students in and to plan for
that now. I would have thought that was a statement of common sense and,
frankly, the bleeding obvious that that is possible. But I went and met with
them and told them that we wanted to work with them to encourage the return of
international students into Western Australia. Obviously, the universities and some of the private colleges have had a difficult
time and we want to make sure that we get back on our feet as quickly as
possible.
One thing I said to them, which they
all wholeheartedly agreed with, is that when we are trying to sell an education system and courses to students and
parents around the world, what better selling point do we have than this has been the safest place in the world
for the last two years. If my children were going overseas to study and I was looking at where they could go,
would I not say, ''Western Australia is a magnificently safe place with fantastic health outcomes''?
When we look at other comparable countries and states around the world, they have had nothing similar to us. So it
is a great opportunity for Western Australia to s pringboard out of the COVID pandemic and ensure that we get
great outcomes for both our higher education and a lso our tourism and
other providers.
is true that the Minister for Tourism, the Minister for Education and Training
and other ministers have been holding round
tables, as I said that we would do a few weeks ago, with important industries
around the state with a view to working out exactly how we transition
back to having open borders with New South Wales, Victoria and internationally.
Yesterday afternoon, the Minister for Education and Training had a round table
with a range of education providers in the Aboriginal People's Room
upstairs and I went and visited. What I said
to them was that we announced our safe transition plan last week and that the
border with New South Wales, Victoria
and internationally will open at some point in late January or early February , which we will define in early December and,
therefore, they can plan for having students back for the first semester. Just so that members know, universities and TAFEs take in their
students, and university starts in late
February, so, obviously, if borders open in late January or early February,
there will be plenty of time for them to get students in and to plan for
that now. I would have thought that was a statement of common sense and,
frankly, the bleeding obvious that that is possible. But I went and met with
them and told them that we wanted to work with them to encourage the return of
international students into Western Australia. Obviously, the universities and some of the private colleges have had a difficult
time and we want to make sure that we get back on our feet as quickly as
possible.
One thing I said to them, which they
all wholeheartedly agreed with, is that when we are trying to sell an education system and courses to students and
parents around the world, what better selling point do we have than this has been the safest place in the world
for the last two years. If my children were going overseas to study and I was looking at where they could go,
would I not say, ''Western Australia is a magnificently safe place with fantastic health outcomes''?
When we look at other comparable countries and states around the world, they have had nothing similar to us. So it
is a great opportunity for Western Australia to s pringboard out of the COVID pandemic and ensure that we get
great outcomes for both our higher education and a lso our tourism and
other providers.
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