Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Hansard source

I continue:

Following the decision of the previous government to provide no ongoing funding for school chaplains, I am pleased to report all state and territory governments have now agreed to implement the government's new chaplaincy program. Funding is available for the 2015 school year and applications are currently being handled by the states and territories.

Cross-border education

In the time remaining, I would like to update the House on recent developments in international education and how the government is developing a two-way street in this important area. International education is part of our plan to build a more diverse, world-class economy—a five-pillar economy—to unleash Australia's real economic potential. By developing a world-class, five-pillar economy we will deliver more jobs.

International education is Australia's largest services export. Under Labor the value of this industry plummeted. Recent figures released by the Department of Education suggest that, under the coalition, international education has grown by over a billion dollars in just one year. This is vital income for the Australian economy.

But international education is about much more than economic prosperity for the nation. Relationships developed through international education underpin our engagement with the rest of the world. They are the foundation for future research collaboration. They assist to maintain trade, investment and goodwill. They make our innovative achievements and scholarly assets more visible to the world. They keep us competitive and ensure Australia does not get left behind.

This government is working hard to:

The New Colombo Plan offers Australian undergraduates prestigious scholarships and grants for study and internships/mentorships in the Indo-Pacific region. More than 3,100 students will benefit through the 2015 round.

Endeavour s cholarships

We will support 682 Endeavour scholarship recipients to undertake researcher mobility, because international collaboration is well known to lead to more innovation than single-country research. I have also established a number of new education agreements with counties in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

China and Laos visit

I recently visited China and Laos to participate in education meetings under the auspices of the East Asia Summit. Education ministers committed to the development of a post-2015 plan of action.

While in Beijing, I met with my Chinese counterpart, Minister for Education, Mr Yuan Guiren, to discuss the Australia-China education and research relationship and the importance of two-way student mobility through our New Colombo Plan.

Indonesia MOU and Centre

During the East Asia Summit I renewed Australia's agreement in education and training with the Republic of Indonesia.

This reaffirms the importance Australia places on the education relationship with Indonesia.

It sets a strong foundation for continued engagement over the next five years by growing people-to-people links through greater two-way student and academic mobility.

The government is also supporting the Australia-Indonesia Centre, announced by the Prime Minister last year.

This centre aims to strengthen business, cultural, educational, research and community links and build mutual understanding.

Monash University leads the centre, in partnership with other universities and CSIRO. I met with the new Vice-Chancellor of Monash University, Margaret Gardner, only yesterday evening to talk about not only the centre but her support for our education reforms.

At the East Asia summit of education ministers, I also had the opportunity to sit down and talk to my counterparts from South Korea, Vietnam, Japan, Singapore and Loas.

Australia-UK Education Dialogue

Earlier in the year I also visited the then Minister of State for Universities and Science, the Right Honourable David Willetts in the UK.

We agreed to establish an inaugural Australia-UK Education Dialogue. As my department recently noted in Senate committee hearings, it is the first time an initiative like this has ever been done before.

Next year we will continue our efforts and consult over a draft National Strategy for International Education.

Conclusion

Madam Speaker, this government is improving Australian education as promised.

I move:

That the House take note of the document.

I ask leave of the House to move a motion to enable the member for Adelaide to speak for 13 minutes.

Leave granted.

I move:

That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent Mr Opposition speaking for a period not exceeding 6½ minutes.

Question agreed to.

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