Bracks Government denies students transport concessions

The ALP remains defiant in its refusal to extend student transport concessions to postgraduate and international students in Victoria.

Victoria is the only state or territory in Australia that does not give concession cards to both full-time local postgraduate students and international students.

"If Victoria is serious about competing to attract students to Victorian universities, the Bracks Government needs to realise that cost of living is a significant factor in the decision of many students about where to study," argued CAPA President, Leisa Ridges.

"Extending transport concessions to postgraduate and international students is a relatively inexpensive policy for the Victorian Government, but will make a significant difference to postgraduate and international students who are currently struggling to get by on low incomes while they study," she added.

In a report released in April this year, the Victorian Auditor-General demonstrated that international students contributed $714.5 million to the Victorian economy in 1999 alone.

In contrast, the National Liaison Committee for Australian international students has estimated that extending transport concessions to all international students would cost only $22.5 million - a fraction of students' contribution to the Victorian economy.

In 2001, education was Australia's tenth largest export industry, generating $4 billion. It has been estimated that international students generate 50,000 jobs annually.

"International students contribute significantly to the Australian economy. They are considered Australian residents for tax purposes and pay income tax as well as GST, and yet they are not entitled to the same transport concessions as Australian citizens," commented CAPA International Students' Officer, Arturo Bravo Nuevo.

During the 2002 state election campaign, the ALP has confirmed that it will continue to restrict eligibility for transport concessions to full-time undergraduate students who are Australian citizens or permanent residents. In contrast, both the Victorian Democrats and Victorian Greens support universal student transport concessions.