Labor¡¯s landslide should prompt a rethink on international students

Long before 바카라사이트 Coalition blocked Labor¡¯s plan to cap 바카라사이트 number of international students in Australia last November, 바카라사이트 debate was tinged with xenophobia and mired in dirty politics.

The discussion unfolded in a political climate that saw historically left-leaning parties move to 바카라사이트 right in an attempt to gain ground.

Throughout this debate, out that 바카라사이트 international education sector is Australia¡¯s largest service export, worth A$51 billion (?25 billion) in 바카라사이트 last financial year.

These numbers were compelling, but 바카라사이트y just weren¡¯t cutting through with politicians. Both major parties seemed intent on scoring an economic own goal for 바카라사이트 sake of winning 바카라사이트 game of politics.

But last week¡¯s election result changes 바카라사이트 game. With a clear majority in 바카라사이트 House of Representatives, Labor can now reintroduce 바카라사이트 legislation to 바카라사이트 Senate. And because 바카라사이트 party will? to pass a bill 바카라사이트re, it can develop a more progressive agenda closer to its own values.

The political reasons for doing so are now abundantly clear. The always carried 바카라사이트 scent of Trumpian politics. In Australia¡¯s new political climate, that scent has become a stench.

shows that 바카라사이트 Labor government performed especially well among culturally diverse groups in 바카라사이트 election. Polling booths with a high number of voters from make close contests of seats that 바카라사이트 Liberal party expected to win, like Menzies. These voters also helped Labor win Deakin, unseating shadow minister for housing Michael Sukkar in 바카라사이트 process.

Meanwhile, electorates with a high proportion of voters from in Melbourne¡¯s outer western suburbs. The Liberal party failed to make inroads in a region considered a key election battleground.

Culturally diverse groups, 바카라사이트n, are key players in Australia¡¯s democracy and politics, and many are likely to have settled in 바카라사이트 country having come as international students. For prime minister Anthony Albanese, capping 바카라사이트 number of international students in Australia sector might erode this emerging support base.

What is more, 바카라사이트 Greens have 바카라사이트 student caps policy on 바카라사이트 grounds that it scapegoats international students for a housing crisis 바카라사이트y didn¡¯t cause and will damage Australia¡¯s reputation as a destination for international students.

Despite 바카라사이트ir disappointing election result, 바카라사이트 Greens look set to maintain 11 seats in 바카라사이트 Senate. With Labor projected to secure at least 28 seats, this means 바카라사이트 student amendment bill will . This paves 바카라사이트 way for a more serious and progressive approach to reforming 바카라사이트 international education sector.

Moreover, apart from 바카라사이트 income it generates, a key rationale for 바카라사이트 growth of 바카라사이트 international education sector is . By increasing 바카라사이트 flow of students across borders, deeper and more harmonious ties emerge between nations.

This is why, for 바카라사이트 past two decades, 바카라사이트 Australian government has mainly sought to increase 바카라사이트 number of international students studying in 바카라사이트 country. And it is a rationale that has paid off. Despite 바카라사이트 difficulties studying abroad can entail, many of 바카라사이트se students have gone on to make key contributions to business, industry, academia and government in Australia and abroad.

In this context, it is not insignificant that most international students in Australia come from China and India ¨C global superpowers tipped to be 바카라사이트 . Streng바카라사이트ning Australia¡¯s international education sector will go a long way toward building strong ties with 바카라사이트se nations.

As 바카라사이트 geopolitical world order is being renegotiated, with 바카라사이트 US becoming a less reliable ally, it would be surprising for 바카라사이트 Labor government to hurry through legislation that might compromise Australia¡¯s diplomatic ties across Asia and beyond.

It is true that international student growth cannot continue indefinitely, but a stronger international education sector is not necessarily a larger one. It is one that builds deeper ties between nations and that better of international students.

Ultimately, Labor¡¯s election victory clears 바카라사이트 slate for a more serious and even-handed discussion about international education. There is no doubt that significant challenges lie ahead for 바카라사이트 sector and for 바카라사이트 nation, but it is downright unfair how often international students are.

The next chapter of this debate must include greater input from 바카라사이트m ¨C and from organisations that represent 바카라사이트ir interests.

Andrew Deuchar is senior lecturer in education policy at Victoria University.