Jane Prentice (Ryan, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I have risen in this place on numerous occasions to talk about the coalition government's New Colombo Plan. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop, while Minister for Education, Science and Training during the Howard government, observed that many students from our region were coming to Australia to learn and gain qualifications, yet very few, if any, Australian students were studying at universities in the Asia-Pacific region. Minister Bishop believed this to be a growing diplomatic issue, with students willing to go and study in Europe, the US and the UK but not in our own regional neighbourhood.

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I interrupt the honourable member. In accordance with standing order 43, the time for members' statements has concluded.