Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Trade and Tourism, my good friend Senator Farrell. International students make an important contribution to the economy and the diversity of communities across Australia. How is the international education sector faring in the aftermath of the pandemic, and what are the long-term effects of the former government's complete lack of support and the former Prime Minister telling students to go home?

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What are the long-term effects of drinking your wine?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'll take that interjection. I'll talk to you afterwards, but they're all good! I thank Senator O'Neill for that question. I know she has a great interest in education, particularly the topic of her question, which was international education.

Regrettably, international education was one of hardest hit sectors of our economy during the pandemic. With students unable to travel to Australia, the former government's bungling meant that many educational institutions were not able to access financial support. Worst of all was the damage done by former prime minister Scott Morrison, who damaged our international reputation by telling international students to go home. Scott Morrison—

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What!

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Yes, that's what he said, Senator Watt. Scott Morrison made it clear that his government—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Farrell, I remind you to refer to people in the other place by their correct titles.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Sorry, Madam President. Former prime minister Scott Morrison made it very clear that his government didn't care about international students, didn't care about educational institutions and, most importantly, didn't care about those who relied on them to support their families. The message to parents of international students was that the Morrison government didn't care about their children and didn't want them here. In a single press conference the former Prime Minister caused a massive setback to a $40.3 billion industry.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator O'Neill, a first supplementary?

Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

With international travel normalising and international students able to resume their education on campuses here in Australia, what is the current state of play for the international education sector?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator O'Neill for her question. Of course, we hope that international travel is normalising, but, no thanks to the previous government, the international education sector remains one of the largest export industries. Its recovery is testament to the quality education our institutions offer and the hard work of industry and government agencies. In December, there were over 452,200 student visa holders in Australia. It's not at pre-COVID levels yet, but the industry, pleasingly, is recovering.

The Albanese Labor government is proud to be welcoming back international students from across the world. While China is still our largest and most valuable market, diversification is occurring, with growth in other markets including India, Nepal, Colombia and Vietnam. Last year, Austrade supported the Australia-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership— (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator O'Neill, a second supplementary?

Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Looking to the future, what is the Australian government doing to support the international education sector to assist the recovery you were describing?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator O'Neill. A lot more than the previous government, is the answer to that question. My agency, Austrade, which is responsible for promoting Australia's international education offerings globally, has been working hard to support the sector's recovery.

Dedicated staff in 36 locations provide advice, support and connections to registered Australian international education clients, Austrade's International Educational Centre of Excellence overseas, the sector strategy, and manages the Study Australia website. Recent upgrades to the Study Australia website have new users increase by 24.7 per cent, in 2022, with over 7.5 million unique page views up 28 per cent on the year. (Time expired)