Poor scheduling of legislation by the Rudd Labor Government is likely to blame for the Chinese Education Ministry issuing a warning to Chinese students, advising them against enrolling in private colleges in Australia. 

“The Government failed to schedule the Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Re-registration of Providers and Other Measures) Bill 2009 in time for the commencement of the new academic year”, Shadow Minister for Training, Andrew Southcott said. 

“The Coalition proposed a number of amendments to the Education Services for Overseas Students legislation aimed at providing greater transparency and improved quality of providers, yet poor scheduling by the Government prevented this legislation being debated by the Senate prior to the long Christmas break” Andrew Southcott said. 

The Government had plenty of opportunity for this Bill to be debated, yet they chose to delay the legislation until February next year, when Parliament resumes.  

Had the Government been truly committed to improving the international standing of our private sector colleges, and scheduled the legislation prior to the break, it is quite likely the Chinese Education Ministry would not have resorted to warning students against studying at private colleges in Australia. 

The Coalition is deeply disappointed that the Chinese Government has issued an alert to Chinese students, warning them against enrolling in private colleges in Australia, yet with such inaction by the Rudd Labor Government, it regrettably comes as no real surprise.