The Australian Federation of International Students (AFIS) responded today to Mr. Tony Arup's article "Foreign students being exploited" in today's The Age newspaper.

"Exploitation of international students in the workplace has been a significant issue for a number of years, I am hopeful that this new research will allow the state and federal governments to work with students and industry stakeholders to explore the underlying problems and then work towards resolving them," said Mr. Wai Ken Wong, National Chairperson of AFIS.

The Australian Federation Of International Students (AFIS) responded with sadness to the tragedy yesterday when two students from Pakistan were helplessly swept off the rocks of Phillip Island.

The Victorian Government is passing a Bill to prevent any means for overseas students from receiving concessions, despite the Human Rights Charter and their commitment to be an inclusive state and ongoing support of multiculturalism.

They are also preventing overseas students from making further complaints to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

“We feel betrayed and let down by the Victorian Government”, said Elva Zhang, former President of the Australian Federation of International Students.

“Victoria is perceived as being the most harmonious state in Australia, actively promoting multiculturalism and inclusive to people from all diverse backgrounds. This incident proves otherwise.

“We pay in excess of $20,000 dollars for education and living in Victoria, we also pay taxes and we contribute a lot of money to Universities and the domestic economy. A number of institutions rely on overseas students for operational cost and yet the Minister for Public Transport is preventing by any means for overseas students getting concession cards.

“Australian students have access to concession cards when they study or visit overseas – it’s purely a student’s right! It’s simply unfair and discriminatory”, said Elva Zhang.