MACDONALD SLAMS TURNOUR OVER EDUCATION SHUTDOWN

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In the Senate today North Queensland based Liberal Senator Ian Macdonald, slammed the Federal MP for Leichhardt Jim Turnour and the Federal Government over their ‘do nothing’ attitude to ensuring the quality of education being provided to international students.

Senator Macdonald has demanded to know why Jim Turnour and the Federal Government have left a Bill, which could have prevented the shutdown of the GEOS Cairns English Language School in Cairns, sitting on the Parliamentary shelves for the last five and a half months.

“The Education Services for Overseas Students Amendments (Re-Registration of Providers and Other Measures) Bill, was introduced to the Parliament in August last year to give Julia Gillard something to talk about when she met with Indian officials to discuss the situation for international students in Australia,’ said Senator Macdonald.

“Had the legislation been dealt with when it was introduced in August, an urgent audit could have been conducted on the GEOS Cairns English Language School to identify the operation was at risk, and perhaps its shutdown could have been prevented.

“Jim Turnour and his Government colleagues could have prevented this closure if they hadn’t sat on their hands for nearly 6 months while the school spiralled further and further into debt.

“Jim Turnour and his Government colleagues could have prevented loss of nearly 400 jobs and over 2000 education places across the country – 150 of those education places from Cairns.

“150 fewer students in Cairns means that everyday there are 150 meals that no longer need to be cooked, 150 beds that don’t need to be made and 150 drinks that no longer to be served. It is hard to tell just how many jobs have been lost from Cairns by this closure but they are certainly jobs Cairns can’t afford to be losing.

“Jim Turnour and Kevin Rudd need to explain to the people of Cairns why this legislation has been delayed for five and half months while Kevin Rudd swanned around the World looking after his own interests rather than concentrating on jobs at risk in Far North Queensland” said Senator Macdonald.

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3 February 2010  Media contact Gordon Terry (02) 6277 3722 or 0427 960 255                                           

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