In this interview, John Storey appeared on WIN News Canberra to discuss the IPA’s research on immigration.
All media appearances posted onto the IPA website are directly related to the promotion and dissemination of IPA research.
Below is a transcript of the interview.
Sarah Cawte:
A controversial plan to cap international enrollments has been welcomed by regional universities, but public policy experts fear the bush isn’t prepared, with not enough housing for an influx of students.
Evelyn Karatzas:
They might be striking fear in prestige universities in the big smoke, but educational leaders in the bush are welcoming caps on international students.
John Dewar:
It’s vital that the current system is replaced by something else that is more transparent, more predictable, and more equitable than what we have at the moment.
Evelyn Karatzas:
Education Minister Jason Clare proposing a cap of 270,000 new international enrollments in universities and VET providers from next year. Industry experts believe regional areas will benefit from an influx of students moving to the country.
Alec Webb:
Whilst international students come to Australia for a variety of reasons, some do come for migration purposes; being they want to come to Australia to ultimately settle here.
Evelyn Karatzas:
The reform is expected to breathe life back into struggling institutions post-pandemic.
Alec Webb:
Regional universities, for a variety of reasons, saw a drop in international students, and this is simply returning them to the pre-COVID levels.
Evelyn Karatzas:
Universities like Wollongong confident they will reap the benefits.
John Dewar:
We have a very attractive proposition for international students who might be interested in coming to Australia but can’t get into their first university of choice. We will certainly be trying our best to persuade them to come here.
Evelyn Karatzas:
But public policy experts raising concerns about the extra pressure on regional housing.
John Storey:
IPA research has shown that last year, seven out of 10 newly built houses were taken up by international students. So that pushes upward pressure on rents and house prices.
Evelyn Karatzas:
Evelyn Karatzas, WIN News.
This transcript with John Storey appeared on WIN News Canberra from 28 August 2024 has been edited for clarity.
