Kate Lundy (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation) Share this | Hansard source

Student numbers have declined as a result of a range of factors. The Gillard Labor government has taken substantial steps, especially through the process of the Knight review, to assist the growth of the sector, and we would hope that the outcomes of the risk review contribute to that objective. Reforms to Australia's permanent migration program have substantially changed the incentives for these types of prospective students. Declines in numbers have also occurred due to a range of other factors including the safety concerns of Indian students and the appreciating Australian dollar—a significant factor in the increased competitiveness from other countries. I think it is fair to say that other countries have awakened to the opportunities that exist in the international education sector, so the degree of competitiveness across a whole range of competing nations has lifted substantially.