Speech by the Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, The Hon Tim Fischer to the Opening of the Southern Cross University Research Building, Southern Cross University, Lismore, 2 March 1998.

Introduction

Vice-Chancellor Barry Conyngham, Mr Glen Stotter, Chairman, Australian Tea Tree Oil Research Institute, The Honourable Ian Causley, Member for Page, Mr Larry Anthony, Member for Richmond, other distinguished guests, I am very pleased today to be back in Lismore.

When I visited Lismore in 1996, I was able to meet one of Southern Cross University's students from Bhutan - a country in which I have long had an interest. Indeed, I visited there last year as part of what the Government dubbed the "Year of South Asia".

The University is a provider of quality education to international students both here in Australia and through distance learning - and South Asia must be something of a focus for it!

I understand that Southern Cross in 1996 - in conjunction with the Government's New Horizons promotion - was the first Australian university to conduct a graduation ceremony in India.

Today, I would like to talk to you about how Australian education has become a byword for excellence around the world. Also, I want to applaud Southern Cross's innovation in attracting local industry to fund important research and infrastructure.

It is my great pleasure today to officially open the Southern Cross University Research Building - made possible with Commonwealth capital funding of $2.5 million and significantly a financial contribution of around $1.4 million from the tea tree oil industry. I congratulate the tea tree oil industry for its foresight and endeavour in this initiative and its commitment to the local region.

Australian Education - A Byword for Excellence

It is little wonder that Australia has an excellent reputation in the Asia-Pacific for its world-class education institutions.

For high calibre Australian graduates are making a vital contribution throughout the region. And when I say Australian graduates I am not only talking about Australians in the region but also about the countless other nationals who have benefited from an Australian education since the Colombo Plan began in the 1950s.

The Government is firmly committed to supporting Australian education. Education is clearly vital for the development of our own skills base and increasingly, thanks to innovative approaches and high standards, the education sector has become a prodigious export earner.

Australian Education - Export Earner

Responding to increased economic interdependence between countries and between industries, Australia has developed links between the education sector, industry and their counterparts around the globe.

The results have been spectacular. Australian universities have thrived in the international market place following the introduction of full-fee paying courses for international students.

Numbers of international students have grown quickly and today make up 9.6 per cent of the total student population of our 38 universities, providing around 7.6 per cent of their income.

Last year international students, numbering around 150,000, made a contribution of around $3.2 billion to the Australian economy.

This, of course, was only their direct financial contribution. The value of their contribution in raising other countries' awareness of Australia - and its products and services - is incalculable.

We are now seeing large communities of graduates return home with a special understanding, high regard and affection for Australia.

We have already seen the benefits of a growing Australian "alumni", particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. A surprising number of senior figures in South-East Asian governments and businesses received part of their education in Australia.

I cannot stress enough how important these kinds of links are for furthering Australia's interests in the region.

Developments in Asia

I know that recent economic events in Asia have generated some concern that the higher education market will be affected by the region's reduced growth prospects in the shorter term.

The Government is, of course, actively monitoring developments in the region and has taken a number of actions to assist the Australian export community and those countries in the region most affected by the crisis. On Wednesday I will in fact be tabling in Parliament the Government's second annual Trade Outcomes and Objectives Statement which will set out in some detail the Government's trade agenda, our response to developments in the region and importantly the challenges and opportunities which lie ahead in the coming year.

In the education sector there will doubtless be some impact on affordability for students from particularly affected countries.

However, the good news is that the number of degree students coming from overseas this year is holding up well. In fact, figures released last week by Federal Education Minister, Dr Kemp, show that while student numbers from South Korea and Thailand have dropped over the past twelve months, student numbers from other Asian countries have actually increased including, from Indonesia (up 11 per cent), China (up 9 per cent), Vietnam (up 46 per cent) and from India (up 41 per cent).

I have great confidence in the education sector's future. The region will continue to be a major source of fee-paying students, particularly as robust growth is expected to return in the medium to long term.

An Australian education represents real value for money. The quality of life Australia offers so affordably will continue to attract students from around the world.

Southern Cross University's Innovative Approach

Certainly campuses like Southern Cross's will attract students from the region and around the globe.

By attracting private sector investment in facilities like this first-class research building, the university is augmenting its capacities substantially.

The research carried out here will explore not only further uses of tea tree oil but also of other natural bioactive products.

We certainly hope that this research will enhance the profits and the reputation of both the industry and the university.

It is to the great credit of both that they are developing their businesses by drawing - in a sustainable way - on Australia's great natural heritage. Indeed, we have recently been acknowledged as one of the world's richest sources of biodiversity.

I know that Southern Cross is a university which takes a very progressive approach to all it does. With a relatively high proportion of its students coming from less affluent backgrounds its tremendous success rate for graduates finding employment is testimony to the success of that approach.

The success of the university owes a lot to the calibre of its staff and students and also to its creative Vice-Chancellor, whom I know is a composer of fine contemporary Australian music which often draws on Asian influences.

I therefore commend you and your university for looking for inspiration both in Australia and beyond, for attracting some of the best students from around Australia and the region - and providing them with a distinctly Australian education.

I also want to commend you for looking beyond the public sector for your funding sources!

Conclusion

I want to close by wishing this campus and all the other campuses associated with Southern Cross - in both NSW and Queensland - all the best in their pursuit of excellence.

Australia's vision of being an educational leader in our region has quickly become a reality.

I know Australian education is going on to even better things.