Oz envoy assures security to students

Preneet raises issue of transport concession for Indians in Victoria, New South Wales
Patiala, December 16
The Australian government has given its firm commitment to ensure proper security and safety to students studying in Australia. The assurance was given by Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) and Secretary, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Dennis Richardson during a meeting with Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur in New Delhi today.
Giving details of the meeting in Patiala, MP Singh, Additional Private Secretary to Preneet, said, "While discussing several bilateral issues, the Minister raised the long-pending issue of the transport concession to be extended to Indian students in the Federal States of Victoria and New South Wales. The authorities in these two Federal States have been consistently refusing to grant concessional transport facilities to Indian students, which are normally enjoyed by the Australian students, despite the fact that Indian students pay much higher fees compared to domestic students."
Responding to the matter, Richardson assured that the matter of granting transport concession to Indian students would be taken up suitably with the concerned authorities in the Federal States for their consideration, in view of the fact that the Indian students pay comparatively higher fees than the local students.
"Richardson informed Preneet that the Australian Government has undertaken extensive review of the international education sector, including re-registration of international education providers with a view to ensure that international students get quality education in Australia", stated Singh.
After the meeting, Preneet expressed her satisfaction regarding the measures put in place by the Australian government to improve the safety and security of the Indian students in Australia. She, however, impressed upon the need that the proposed measures were followed through and resulted in a qualitatively improved experience on the ground for the Indian students in Australia.