Senator HANSON-YOUNG (South Australia) (10.39 am) - I rise to speak on the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Income Support for Students) Bill 2009 [No. 2].

This is the second time I have spoken on this bill. We discussed this issue at the end of last year and this Senate failed to pass that legislation at that time, leaving students in limbo over the summer period and into the first semester of this year.

The Australian Greens welcome the agreement over Youth Allowance, but warn that it does not resolve the wider question of student income support in Australia.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens Education spokesperson, says that she is happy that scholarships, while reduced, will be available for students from April 1, but has declared that the Greens are committed to run a campaign for equal treatment and support for all students up to the next election.

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.

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.

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 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.

NOTICE OF MOTION
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young

I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I shall move:

That the Senate

(a) Notes the string of recent attacks against international students studying in Australia;

(b) Recognises
i) The important contribution international students make to Australia's culture and economy; and
ii) Growing concern over the safety of international students studying in Australia;

Senator HANSON-YOUNG (South Australia) (10.48 am) - I rise today to speak to the first legislative acknowledgment that our proud international education reputation is at the crossroads, with revelations of mismanagement, misleading conduct and dodgy agents providing false advice and guarantees to prospective students.

Senator HANSON-YOUNG (South Australia) (10.48 am) - 

 I rise today to speak to the first legislative acknowledgment that our proud international education reputation is at the crossroads, with revelations of mismanagement, misleading conduct and dodgy agents providing false advice and guarantees to prospective students.

The collapse of another eight English language colleges has driven home the urgent need for reform of the international education sector, according to Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young.

Senator Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson on Education, says the failure of the colleges leaves more than 2000 international students in limbo, and shines a spotlight squarely on a sector at risk.