Indian News Queensland | CORONA CRISIS facing financial problems, feels that granting access to super funds is not an all-encompassing measure which would sufficiently safeguard all the students. Even among those who do have access, there are many who do not have enough funds to fall back on since they were not able to accumulate much or have lost their funds which were invested due to the slump in the financial market. Besides, raising the standard working hours for temporary visa holders with work permit to earn money is an option limited to only those working in essential sectors. Many are also worried about their uncertain future in the country as in the aftermath they would be left with little savings. Those who have been laid off see no light at the end of the
tunnel as their departure from the country is a foregone conclusion and it is highly likely that their enrolments could be cancelled. Despite a slew of measures that have been taken by the Australian government and the solidarity shown by the multicultural community in Australia, critics believe that enough has not been done for the international students. Indian students, who account for the second highest number among the foreign students, have irrefutably proved themselves as invaluable assets for the country and therefore, critics are of the opinion that more must be expected from the government.
Lockdown has brought thousands of Indian students in Australia on the verge of being homeless
Kerala students in Australia's Victoria get a helping hand
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ver a thousand students from Kerala studying for various courses in Australia’s Victoria state will get relief with the Melbourne Secular Forum, a body consisting mostly of Keralites, deciding to support them financially and otherwise. Speaking to IANS, the forum’s chief coordinator, Thiruvallam Bhasi said that in the lockdown several students who also do part-time work to sustain themselves are affected.
“During Easter time, we distributed food kits to around 150 students, but Victoria being a big state and with numerous Kerala students studying at far away locations, we decided to financially support them and decided to credit the money to their accounts,” he said. “We have got help from numerous sponsors who have come forward to help the students. Our aim is no Kerala student should remain hun-
gry because they don’t have money . All what the student should do is they just need to inform us through our website and each one will be given between (Australian) $30 to 50, depending on their need. Once the student makes a request, the money will be credited in minutes,” added Bhasi. IANS
In Victoria, Indian students will get relief with the Melbourne Secular Forum, a body consisting mostly of Keralites, deciding to help the students financially
'Cash-cows' international students worst-hit, yet most ignored
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ustralian federal government’s $200 billion+ rescue package and multi billion dollars state government packages are nowhere near rescuing the economy; however, they may reduce the economic impact on small businesses and small to medium enterprises. But in spite of all these initiatives by various states and federal governments, one community was totally ignored: the international student community in Australia, which got affected in multiple ways. Majority of these students heavily depend on hospitality and service industry through short-term/parttime employment opportunities to support their living standard while undertaking their studies. Due to COVID-19, most of them lost their jobs and are now finding it very difficult to meet their day to day needs. In spite of the fact that number of community organizations like Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland, Australia India House Charitable Foundation, number of restaurants are offering voluntary
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services to support those impacted students by providing free grocery, free meals and other forms of support, it is meeting the needs of only a small fraction of international student community. It is absolutely important that both state governments and federal government immediately initiate a support system to look after these students. We should remember that international students are greatly contributing to Australian economy and are the third largest source of foreign income to Australia. Therefore, we have a social responsibility to support international student community and look after their wellbeing during this difficult time, instead of looking at them as cash cows. If this situation is not properly handled by making appropriate and reasonable decisions by both Federal and State governments, there is good possibility that Australian higher education sector may lose around $17 billion, which will have
ripple effect on Australian economy to the order of $40 Billion over next three years. In addition to the economic loss, it might also damage the reputation of Australia in the global arena, which might have further effects in years to come. By Prof. Prasad KDV Yarlagadda OAM Professor Prasad Yarlagadda
Economy reeling under Covid-19's ramifications
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ntil first week May 2020, there have been 3,221,000 COVID-19 infections and 228,300 deaths worldwide due to COVID-19, and these numbers are exponentially increasing day by day. The worst affected countries are USA, Italy, Spain, UK and China. The healthcare industry has been the worst hit due to COVID-19, and economic impact is not far behind either. In Australia,
the economic impacts are felt by domestic as well as international businesses. The recent rapid spread of COVID-19 has caused enormous health issues worldwide, social upheaval and economic downturn across the globe, with an estimated cost of $1 trillion in 2020 alone. It is expected that by June 2020, 15–24% of Australians will be unemployed, impacting major Queensland industries such as tourism, hospitality and min-
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ing. As a result of this, education sector, tourism sector, along with hospitality industry, will be further hit by COVID-19 situation. In addition, with the closure of the state and international borders, entire industries, including the higher-education sector with its international student community, will have to face financial implications for years to come.
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