1,000 signatures reached
To: Anne Ruston, Minister for Families and Social Services
Offer Financial Assistance to International Students
The hundreds of thousands of International Students in Australia have been severely affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Many were the first people to lose their jobs and are now doing their best to pay for rent, tuition and survival with absolutely zero assistance from the Australian Government.
The Minister for Social Services has the power to extend financial support to International Students with the swipe of a pen. We call on her to do it immediately.
Why is this important?
Aside from the massive economic contribution they make to Australia, International Students are part of the fabric of the Australian community. They are students, neighbours, friends and colleagues. Many face the additional barrier of being new to Australia and not being familiar with its language or institutions.
It is beyond heartless that government assistance has not already been extended to these people who work hard and contribute so much to this country. It is unacceptable that they are being abandoned in this way. Something must be done. Not in a week or a month, but now.