Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I think that in a sense the senator answered her own question. I am not sure about the figure that is claimed in terms of the investment dollars required. As I said earlier, I think it is actually more about a cultural change and acceptance of the importance. The reality is that people have not accepted the value. I think that Indonesian in particular has declined in terms of students in Australia, and that is disappointing.

But I also know, for instance, that one of the factors there has been the travel warnings in relation to Indonesia. We have seen less in the way of travel between Indonesia and Australia in education sponsored visits because of those travel warnings, and some of the good programs that we have done involving travel to Indonesia have been curtailed and their popularity has diminished.

But the key message that we need to do more in that field is absolutely accepted by the government. (Time expired)