Thursday, 10 March 2022

International students

Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (12:03): My question is for the Minister for Higher Education. Last week I met with the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in relation to their state budget submission. One of their policy ideas that they presented to me was to provide financial support to internationals students so that they can pick Victoria over other states and countries. We know that international students are vital to hold up our education sector but, as we have also seen, vital to our hospitality sector, vital for an injection of spending and vital to tourism. So my question is: what steps has the minister taken to incentivise internationals students to choose Victoria?

Ms Tierney: On a point of order, President, I thank the member for her ongoing interest in international students, but in terms of this particular question, I think it would be more of a question to Minister Pakula. As you know, he is responsible in the trade portfolio for international students, and I think that that would be a better fit.

The PRESIDENT: Ms Patten, on the question itself, do you want to divert it to Minister Pakula?

Ms PATTEN: Thank you, President. Could the appropriate minister pass that on.

Ms PULFORD (Western Victoria—Minister for Employment, Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Resources) (12:04): I thank Ms Patten for her question and for her interest in this important area, in terms of both the educational opportunity it provides to so many people from around the world but also the very, very important role it plays in both the culture and the economic prospects and wellbeing of the state. We certainly look forward to having our international students return, and I look forward to providing you with a written response from Minister Pakula.

Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (12:05): Thank you, Minister. If you could also pass on my supplementary: will the minister consider financial incentives to ensure that Victoria comes out on top as we emerge from COVID?

Ms PULFORD (Western Victoria—Minister for Employment, Minister for Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Resources) (12:05): Yes, I will certainly seek a written response to that supplementary from Minister Pakula. He may take the opportunity to outline some of the things that we have done over the last couple of years to support international students and some of the work that is underway to make sure that they return, they have a terrific experience and it continues to be a very important part of life here in Victoria.