Take into account concerns of our students: India to Australia

NEW DELHI: India today renewed its call to Australia for taking into account concerns of Indian students studying there while implementing new migration laws under which the skilled jobs list was pruned.

Requesting Australia to protect the interests of the Indian students, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said the new laws should be implemented "prospectively" and "not retrospectively".

"We request Australia to address genuine concerns of our students studying there. The students should at least be allowed to complete their courses," Ravi, who arrived here yesterday after a five-day trip to Australia, said.

Under the new migration rules, the Australian government has trimmed the skilled occupation list (SOL) for getting permanent resident status in Australia from the earlier 450 to 150.

The SOL now does not comprise most sought-after courses among Indian students like hair dressing and cookery.

"I told the Australian ministers to implement the provisions of the new law prospectively and not retrospectively," he said.

Ravi said he held talks with Foreign Minister Stephen Smith, Trade Minister Simon Crean, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Chris Evans and discussed various bilateral issues, including welfare of the Indian diaspora.

According to him, since a large number Indian students came to Australia under the previous immigration rules and currently enrolled in vocational colleges, that country should ensure that they complete their studies.

Indians are the second largest group of foreign students in Australian after the Chinese. Over one lakh Indian students are enrolled in different colleges in that country.

Ravi said he also met Victoria Premier John Brumby and discussed with him possibilities of the province helping the students find employment under the state sponsored immigration policy.

In a latest development, South Australian government cancelled the registration of the Adelaide Pacific International College putting careers of over 450 Indian students studying there in jeopardy. The registration of the college was cancelled after it failed audits.