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Our Students Need an Education Ombudsman
The Australian Greens have moved to lock in protection for all students with legislation to provide a new national authority to handle education complaints, according to Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.
Senator Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson on Education, has today introduced the Ombudsman Amendment (Education Ombudsman) Bill 2010 into Parliament, which would establish a new office of the Education Ombudsman under the Commonwealth Ombudsman.
"We need a one-stop national authority that can resolve student complaints, whether it's in domestic education or the international education sector, '' Senator Hanson-Young said.
International Education Needs Reform Now
The Australian Greens have called on the Federal Government to fast-track its response to the Baird Review of International Education, according to Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.
Senator Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson on Education, says the man in charge of the review, Bruce Baird, has confirmed that there is a serious problem in the international education sector.
"It has been obvious for more than a year that the international education sector is in a dire state,'' Senator Hanson-Young said.
"Education provider collapses and attacks on international students have combined to inflict damage on the sector and Australia's reputation overseas - a point acknowledged by Mr Baird today.
"I am happy to see Mr Baird's recommendation to expand the role of the Ombudsman to help resolve students' problems, a move the Greens have been calling on for some time.
Youth Allowance Solution Needed In O-Week
The Federal Government must act urgently to bring on its Youth Allowance legislation this week, to give students the resolution they need before starting the academic year, according to Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.
Senator Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson on Education, says Parliament has to deal with student income support as soon as possible to reassure students and families.
"The Government needs to show commitment to its Youth Allowance legislation, which has been in limbo for months,'' Senator Hanson-Young said.
The Greens' Practical Plan to Solve the Youth Allowance Crisis
The Australian Greens have announced a three-point plan to solve the Youth Allowance crisis and provide vital assistance to students, according to Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.
Senator Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson on Education, says the Senate's failure to pass legislation last year has left students and their families in total confusion over what is happening with student income support.
"Students and their families don't care who gets the credit, they just want someone to end the confusion and find a solution that gives them the support they need to access tertiary education,'' Senator Hanson-Young said.
"This may be a political problem for the major parties, but it is an urgent practical problem for young people who have no idea what support - if any - they will have as they prepare for starting university next week.
Govt Has Duty To Prevent League Tables
The Federal Government must recognise the depth of concern by public school teachers over the dangers of skills testing results being used to create misleading "League Tables'', according to Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.
Senator Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson on Education, says that while the Government has made clear it wants to distribute information on schools via the MySchool website, it cannot ignore the other ways such information can be misused.
"Teachers are people who care deeply about educating Australia's children and are the ones who will have to deal with the effects of misleading and damaging comparisons made by the development of league tables,'' Senator Hanson-Young said.
Lee accepts petition at international student rally
Lee joined Greens Federal Senator Sarah Hanson-Young at a Fair Education: Justice for International Students rally, one of a nation wide series of rallies. Lee accepted a petition from the students for tabling in NSW Parliament.
Federal Govt must lead international education clean-up
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says the Federal Government must take a leading role in salvaging the integrity and reputation of Australia’s international education sector, ensuring educational quality standards are upheld and complaints are responded to appropriately.
Last night’s Four Corners program on ABC1 reported that students from overseas and other concerned people involved in the international education sector had had their complaints about unscrupulous education and migration agents ignored by government departments or regulatory bodies.
“The Federal Government has a responsibility to take the lead in responding to these serious allegations and cleaning up the international education sector,” said Senator Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson for Education and Immigration.
“It’s not acceptable for us as Australians to reap the financial benefits of international students coming here to study, yet turn a blind eye to the rip-offs and exploitation occurring under our noses.
International students Senate Inquiry taking submissions to reach solutions
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says continuing reports about problems with international education in Australia highlights the importance of a Senate Inquiry into the sector that will report back in November this year.
Reports today described Australia’s international education sector as being in parts an “immigration racket”, comprising of dodgy courses, steep fees, and empty promises.
“These kinds of reports relate to some of the issues that prompted me to establish this Senate Inquiry into the welfare of international students in Australia,” said Senator Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson for Education.
Hospitals and schools should get ETS help instead of polluters: Greens
The States should use today's COAG meeting to urge the Federal Government to both lift its carbon pollution reduction targets and compensate the States ahead of polluters, otherwise front-line jobs in health, education and essential services are at risk, according to the Australian Greens.
Australian Greens Leader Senator Bob Brown said new research from the Australia Institute showed that State Governments had been ignored by Canberra in drawing up the CPRS in favour of big polluters.
Read on or view ABCTV Lateline Interview online
Greens prepare to move for Senate Inquiry as international student concerns mount nationwide
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young will move for a Senate Inquiry into the treatment of international students in Australia when Parliament resumes next week, as the South Australian Indian community prepares to meet over a new incident in Adelaide.
An Indian student was attacked in Adelaide’s Rundle Mall yesterday afternoon, following reports from Melbourne and Sydney of a series of attacks on Indian students in those cities.
“Yesterday’s attack in Adelaide is, sadly, the most recent indication of wider problems in the international education sector,” said Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson for Education.
“We know that the Federal Government has been aware of concerns relating to international students for some years, and that India is not the only country to have made representations to Australia about the welfare of their students here.
