Representative body for international students the only legitimate way to go

*** For Immediate release: Wednesday 21st April ***

“NUS is concerned that COAG has endorsed the establishment of an unrepresentative committee considering NUS and CAPA have been working for close to 12 months to establish a peak International Student Council which is endorsed by student organisations across Australia,” said Carla Drakeford, President of the National Union of Students.

“It is important that student representation is taken seriously by the Government and that there are no shortcuts in establishing the best possible body for raising international student issues,” she said.

The National Union of Students and the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations have both welcomed most of COAG’s International Student Strategy for Australia, which includes improvements to information available to international student both pre-departure and while studying in Australia, strategies for greater international and domestic student interaction, and an independent complaints body. However, both organisations have serious concerns about the establishment of an unrepresentative international student committee.

“It is bewildering that COAG and the Deputy Prime Minister would endorse a proposal for a body of hand-picked students for consultation instead of a representative body, when they themselves are elected,” said Tammi Jonas, President of the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations. “I wonder how they would feel about Australian state Premiers being appointed by the United Nations or the World Health Organisation?”

“COAG have also overlooked an opportunity to achieve greater equity for international students by remaining silent on recommendations to provide transport concessions for international students, notably in the states who earn the highest revenue from international education, Victoria and New South Wales,” Jonas added.

Carla Drakeford
National President
National Union of Students Inc.
Suite 64 Trades Hall
54 Victoria Street
Carlton South, Victoria 3053
t: 0411 606 808
e: pres@nus.asn.au
w. www.unistudent.com.au

Tammi Jonas
National President
Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA)
Level 3, Trades Hall
2 Lygon St Carlton South, Victoria 3053
t: 0425 823 144
e: president@capa.edu.au
w. www.capa.edu.au

International Students