May 16, 2018 McGowan migration blunder plunders student tourist numbers New figures show applications from International students to study in Western Australia are in freefall while other states are enjoying an economic and tourism windfall on the back of booming student tourism, according to Shadow Tourism Minister Libby Mettam. Research from student group ISCAH show the number of students applying to come to WA dropped by 4 per cent in the 12 months to March this year, while in other states it rose by an average of 7 per cent. Ms Mettam said a survey of international students by ISCAH also found the overwhelming reason given by students who had transferred interstate from WA after either starting, or enrolling to start studying in Perth, was the lack of opportunity for visas and permanent residency. “The McGowan Government’s decision to drastically reduce the Western Australian skilled migration list has cost the WA economy hundreds of millions of dollars in lost student enrolments and associated tourist visits,” Ms Mettam said. “For every one international student that comes to WA, there is, on average, another five visits from family and friends, and for every three international students studying here, one job is created. “All of those jobs and tourist visits have been lost to WA.” Ms Mettam said that during the election campaign, Mr McGowan whipped up a scare campaign telling West Australians they were losing their jobs to foreigners and promising to fix it by drastically reducing the WA skilled migration list. “This was a short-sighted, xenophobic, vote-grabbing policy that has backfired and has cost the State jobs and tourist visits and I urge the Premier to reverse it,” Ms Mettam said. “Every other state is capitalising on the $20 billion international student industry, while the McGowan Government has killed it in WA. “International students and the tourists that come to visit them are now bypassing Perth and heading to the competing states of South Australia and Tasmania, where international student numbers are booming. “According to ISCAH, if WA student numbers had grown at the same rate as the rest of the nation there would be 2,395 more international students in WA, paying $168 million in course fees and $219 million in living costs.” Media Contact |
