The Premier is yet to act to guarantee the future of the State’s reputation as a preferred destination for international education.
Tasmania is now one of the few remaining states to levy State school fees on parents who are studying in Tasmania under postgraduate scholarships from overseas governments through 574 Post Graduate Research Visas.
I have raised this matter several times and have written to the Premier and Education Minister twice in relation to one particular case brought to my attention asking for consideration of exemption from fees or waiver of the fee as is done in Queensland.
I then raised the issue in Budget Estimates earlier this year, asking the Premier to match the regime in Queensland and South Australia, who are Tasmania’s rivals in attracting international students on these particular visas.
David Bartlett would only say he was “considering” the situation.
The contribution to the University of Tasmania each year alone is around $34 million, and overseas students bring $76 million a year more into the State’s economy with rent and living in our community.
It is concerning that people in some of the source countries are starting to suggest that Tasmania is not the place to study in light of these extortionate school fees and I am aware of cases where students have simply decided to look to interstate universities.
The Premier must immediately fix this problem and make Tasmania competitive in good time before 2010 enrolments are finalised, or risk this important education market being lost to other States.
Tasmania needs a whole of Government approach to better expand its international education market considering that Tasmania is a great place to live, is safe and has good educational institutions.
Sue Napier MP Shadow Minister for Education
