I welcome any genuine effort to get more Australians into training and employment. However, the Albanese Government continues to fall short of delivering a clear, coordinated plan to address the deepening skills shortage—one that has real consequences for our economy, our workforce, and our future.
In my recent conversation with Ipswich Tribune journalist Rob Mellett, I highlighted the urgent need for greater transparency in how the Government is making decisions that affect the education and migration sectors. One key concern is the variation in international student revenue across institutions—particularly between regional universities, metropolitan campuses, and specialist providers. These differences have significant implications for funding, workforce planning, and the sustainability of our tertiary education system.
We are calling on the Government to explain how these disparities are being factored into policy decisions, especially as they relate to skilled migration, student visas, and workforce development.
