Universities blast coalition plan to slash migration
Universities and academics criticized the coalition’s plan to reduce Australia’s immigration intake, warning that it would harm the economy and cost jobs.
The Opposition is promising one of the biggest immigration cuts in Australia’s history, and Nationals leader Matt Canavan has described the country’s current international student recruitment as a “scam”.
But the university sector, which relies heavily on foreign students who can command much higher fees, said any cuts to immigration would have major consequences.
“Significant cuts to international student numbers will have real consequences for the economy and our universities,” Universities Australia chief executive Luke Sheehy said in a statement.
“Australia cannot afford another race to the bottom through stop-start policies, political signals or measures that damage our economy, universities and global reputation.”
According to the coalition’s plan, Australia’s immigration intake will be limited to the number of homes completed in the previous year.
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has refused to give an exact figure for his preferred rate of net overseas migration in the run-up to the election, but the latest data suggests the plan would cut immigration by around 40 per cent.
Senator Canavan said the current student visa system was ripe for reform, arguing that too many foreigners were studying at Australian universities.
“It’s a total scam at the moment. I mean, it’s ridiculous,” he told ABC Radio National.
“I’m not saying we shouldn’t take on foreign students, we’ve always done that, but the core role of an Australian university should be to teach Australian students.”
Senator Canavan claimed many international students did not come to Australia to learn, but used their education as a route to citizenship.
The National Association for Higher Education, which represents academics across the country, warned that any cuts to immigration would harm universities and their staff.
“Fewer international students will not solve the housing crisis,” said national president Alison Barnes.
“They often live in accommodation such as extra bedrooms, on campuses or other rooms that local people do not want or cannot live in.”
Dr Barnes said university leaders would use any cut in student numbers as an excuse to undermine things and called for more detailed policy on higher education from the opposition.
“Sadly the opposition leader is more interested in emulating Pauline Hanson than setting out a vision for higher education,” he said.
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