Via The Australian:
Seeking a “first-mover” advantage in the competitive global education business, Australia’s 39 major universities have put a plan to the government to restart the entry of international students under strict health guidelines.
The proposal by Universities Australia, sent to the federal government on Thursday for consideration by the national cabinet, will require pre-departure COVID-19 tests for incoming students and 14 days of strict quarantine after arrival in Australia.
Titled “a national framework for the safe return of international students to Australia”, the UA submission outlines an initial pilot program of small numbers of students entering, then scaling up to larger numbers.
How can I put this delicately? No bloody way.
Australians have not been under house arrest for months to nearly kill the virus so that a pack of greedy vice-chancellors, who won’t even take a pay cut, can flood the joint with virus-marinated kids from overseas, jeopardising the fortress economy and Australian lives to boot.
Virus testing is not foolproof. Quarantine measures are full of holes. Two weeks is not long enough to exhaust contagiousness and Australia now sucks most of its kiddies from countries that are plunging into, not coming out of, the pandemic. High growth counties such as India, Nepal and Brazil.
It only takes one snotty-nosed brat to flout the rules and the entire economy is put at risk. This is not a “first-mover advantage” it is a “risk-shocker” and should be thrown out.
The universities have already proven to be uber-toxic lobbyists during the pandemic:
- campaigning to keep borders open;
- smuggling students in after borders were closed;
- campaigning for exceptions throughout.
If we had listened to them at any stage in the pandemic response, we’d now be a virus basket case.
These institutions are now corrupt beyond belief. Little more than cesspits for former public servants to get rich at everyone else’s expense.
Keep the borders shut, do not listen to greedy ^%&#$, and call a royal commission into university corruption.
