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

I thank the member for Cowan for his question. I know that he, like most members of this House, is a great enthusiast for the international education market and for growing international education because of the jobs and the growth that that brings for our economy. In fact, international education is our fourth largest export industry, after iron ore, coal and natural gas, and it is one in front of gold. I think that most Australians are not aware of just how vitally important education is to our economy and to jobs. In fact, it directly employs about 135,000 Australians and is worth about $18 billion more than $18 billion of value to the Australian economy. Since the election of the Abbott government that value has increased by $2 billion.

Ms Chesters interjecting—

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