Primer Minister Scott Morrison has made appalling remarks telling visa holders “it’s time to go home” amidst the global pandemic COVID-19. 

International students and other visa holders are residents and valued members of the community in this country. This pandemic has disproportionately affected international students who pay up to six times tuition fee, exceeding $40,000 annually on average. At this time due to border closure and discontinued flights, students do not even have the option to “go home”. 

Scott Morrison’s statement is undoubtedly fuelling dangerous racism and xenophobia that had been witnessed since the start of this pandemic. 

His cruel and ignorant remarks represent no one. We ought to expect more from a person in his position. 

We demand an apology from Scott Morrison to international students and visitors from other countries.  

Information:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-03/coronavirus-pm-tells-international-students-time-to-go-to-home/12119568

https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/coronavirus-australia-make-your-way-home-pm-tells-visa-holders/news-story/5568d4ef78610f1f7a06944916879693?fbclid=IwAR3B8HDwvthXUy3D0YHoaRVk0pwEZFO2uEYFmpeVBIz2CKeSZdHYxwKayeY#.wwqkk|8e8je

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/peak-body-says-australia-s-international-education-system-must-be-a-two-way-street?fbclid=IwAR0E2ex-f4NM70IEJeKBQhQuYIm7zvjAfcytnspESIhejICq4xoSOqLMbWo

https://www.facebook.com/international.students.aus/videos/1355740924611424

https://www.facebook.com/NationalUnionofStudentsAU/videos/1056791014691821