NSW Government: Stop Milking the Cash-cows Dry

The NSW Administrative Decisions Tribunal (ADT) has found that the NSW Government has been discriminating against international students since 1989. In an action brought by the Sydney University Postgraduate Representative Association (SUPRA) against the NSW Minister for Transport, the Director General of the Department of Transport, the State Rail Authority, and the State Transit Authority, the ADT has found that the respondents, in denying international students access to concession transport, have violated the State's Anti-discrimination laws.

CAPA has long supported this campaign to bring to an end the inequity and discriminatory practice of denying international students access to concessional travel. It is apparent that the State governments of NSW and Victoria, the only two States in Australia not to offer transport concessions to international students, are treating these students with disdain, at the same time, reaping the benefits of exorbitant university fees and transport costs.

The ADT's decision is a vindication for 80,000 international postgraduate students currently studying in Australia. CAPA calls on the NSW State government to abide by the decision of the ADT and immediately offer concession travel on public transport to international students.