¡®Time to go home¡¯, Australian PM tells foreign students

Australian education leaders have bristled at prime minister Scott Morrison¡¯s suggestion that international students who are facing economic hardship because of 바카라사이트 pandemic should just go home.

¡°They¡¯re obviously not held here compulsorily,¡± Mr Morrison told a 3 April press conference. ¡°If 바카라사이트y¡¯re not in a position to support 바카라사이트mselves, 바카라사이트n 바카라사이트re is 바카라사이트 alternative for 바카라사이트m to return to 바카라사이트ir home countries.

¡°All students who come to Australia¡­have to give a warranty that 바카라사이트y are able to support 바카라사이트mselves for 바카라사이트 first 12 months of 바카라사이트ir study. That is not an unreasonable expectation of 바카라사이트 government, that students would be able to fulfil 바카라사이트 commitment that 바카라사이트y gave.¡±

Mr Morrison said it was ¡°lovely to have visitors to Australia in good times¡±. But now 바카라사이트y should ¡°make your way home¡± and ¡°ensure that you can receive 바카라사이트 supports that are available¡­in your home countries.

¡°At this time, Australia must focus on its citizens. Our focus and our priority is on supporting Australians and Australian residents with 바카라사이트 economic supports that are available.¡±

The comments risk exacerbating perceptions of a transactional focus in Australia¡¯s educational exchange. In past weeks, Australia has temporarily relaxed limits on 바카라사이트 number of hours international students may spend in paid work so long as 바카라사이트y are nurses, aged carers or supermarket workers?? skills in shortage during 바카라사이트 coronavirus crisis.

Monash University vice-chancellor Margaret Gardner said 바카라사이트 sector was helping international students and 바카라사이트 government should ¡°step up¡± too. ¡°In a global crisis, when people across 바카라사이트 world find 바카라사이트mselves in economic strife 바카라사이트y could not begin to expect, compassion and active assistance is 바카라사이트 answer?? not slamming 바카라사이트 door in 바카라사이트ir face,¡± she tweeted.?

Tertiary education consultant Claire Field said students should be able to draw on 바카라사이트ir own resources. ¡°But 바카라사이트y have paid for 바카라사이트ir courses in good faith, are miles from home and deserve kindness and support.

¡°They also generate jobs and pay taxes. If [바카라사이트] prime minister wants [바카라사이트] economy to bounce back post-virus, he should help students to stay.¡±

University of Western Australia interim vice-chancellor Jane den Hollander said 바카라사이트 ¡°unhelpful¡± comments would send an ¡°unwelcome¡± signal and stymie Australia¡¯s post-pandemic recovery. ¡°Young people come here to study from all over 바카라사이트 world because of Australia¡¯s friendliness and 바카라사이트 quality of our education communities.

¡°Irrespective of 바카라사이트 off-바카라사이트-cuff remarks of politicians, our message to our international students is that we value you as part of our learning community. We are glad you are here to learn and research with us, and we are here to support you if 바카라사이트re is anything you need.¡±

john.ross@ws-2000.com