Senate debates

Thursday, 25 February 2021

Bills

Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Refunds of Charges and Other Measures) Bill 2020; Second Reading

12:51 pm

Photo of Carol BrownCarol Brown (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Tourism) Share this | | Hansard source

Labor will support the Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Refunds of Charges and Other Measures) Bill 2020. This bill enables the minister to provide regulatory fee relief through the refunding of charges in the future if special circumstances are met. It also makes administrative changes to key operational costs and registration requirements to make it easier for international students to take on additional training courses while complying with their visa rules. Labor is not opposed to these changes. However, we will continue to monitor the operation of the refunding regime to ensure that it is used only in exceptional circumstances and not just to line the pockets of dodgy providers.

12:52 pm

Photo of Simon BirminghamSimon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | | Hansard source

I commend the bill to the Senate.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.