FISA calls Australian Government to stop student killings

4 Sept, 2009
Sydney

The Federation of Indian Students of Australia (FISA) today called on the Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard to stop the spin on the state of affairs within her portfolio of Education. While commenting on her trip to India, Hardeep Kaur current student of the affected college (Sterling College) and a FISA Representative said,' it is unfortunate that someone in the position of Deputy Prime Minister will lie in public. Her actions are causing great despair amongst students and eliminating their faith in the institutional robustness of Australian governance.'
The Federation of Indian Students of Australia (FISA) is providing support to students of the collapsed Australian educational institute that has left hundreds of students stranded. Australian Council of Private Education and Training (ACPET) and the NSW Government authorities have repeatedly assured the students of organising alternate arrangement within 28 days so that their studies and lives are not disrupted. This has not happened despite assurances by Ms Gilard herself. Ms Kaur said,' after being lied to for 4 weeks, students have reached a breaking point.'

She further clarified that Mr Andrew Smith, C.E.O of Australian Council of Private Education and Training (ACPET) has told them on 1 September 2009 that the case of 300 Community Welfare students of Sterling College is now being dealt by the Education Services for Overseas Students Act (administered by Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations - DEEWR). FISA sent an email to a senior person within DEEWR on the 1st of September 2009 and has not received any response yet, DEEWR has however communicated with the students of Sterling making no commitments on the time frame to find them replacements.
Kaur, further added that, 'the level of frustration amongst student is high’. Many students are facing double jeopardy in that their visa's and medical insurance have expired. They are in breach of their visa requirement due to non-enrollment and they face growing stress due to lack of honest information.' In case of a medical emergency they will not even have adequate insurance to cover the high medical costs.
Kaur while echoing students concerns asked if the government only respond over a dead body?

She said,' it is unfortunate that Ms Gilard's department continues to fabricate stories while failing these students. The prospect of the students going back empty hand is unacceptable. They have spent anywhere $20000.00-40000.00 each and they deserve better.'

She called on the federal government to consider human rights as a vital component of society. She urged Ms Gilard not to convert these hardworking honest students into refugees in Australia. She said, normally the whole world expects Australia to take in refugees and not to create refugees in Australia. What options are these students left with? Apply for refugee visa now to get care services?
She further said that,' any student death will be the direct responsibility of the negligence of the Deputy PM and her ineffective structures such as DEEWR and ACPET. All deaths that are avoidable must be avoided or they should be treated as killings.'