Local News
Remaining international students demand a ‘fair go’
Approximately 600 students from different countries took part in a peaceful rally, organised by the All International Students Association (AISA) here today.
“Government should exempt existing students from new SOL and/or give them 3-year 485 visa,” said the event cordinator Sakib Syed.
“Government has taken our money, left us without any hope,” echoed Harry Singh, the vice president of AISA.
“We have left our kids, our families behind, just for one hope: to apply for PR after completing our studies. But this government has destroyed that hope,” said Reveena Garg, the female co-ordinator.
Navjot Singh, the president of AISA, labelled the Labour government as robber and in specific, the Immigration Minister Chris Evans ‘ignorant person who cannot hear the heartache of the 100000’s of students’.
“We will not let this government to destory our future, our hopes,” Navjot Singh, added.
AISA is demanding following:
- NEW SOL should not apply to any student who was in Australia on or before 8th February 2010
- Graduate Skill Visa 485 should be extended to 3 years, so that students can get the required experience under the Employer Nomination Scheme.
- The threshold of $45,220 should be removed from 457 visa category.
Mr Navjot Singh warned the government that it was only the first rally and if the DIAC does not listen to or addresses their problems, ‘our next stop will Canberra’.
He assured the attendees that the next rally will be held in Canberra, hopefully around 11 August, and that will be a nationwide.
AISA can be contacted on email: aisa.sydney@gmail.com
Mr Vasan Srinivasan, president of the Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria (FIAV) and a leading education consultant has slammed the proposed changes to the skills assessment for permanent residency.
“Unjust and just plain dumb” was the immediate reaction of Mr Srinivasan.
