Opened the debate
Roberts argued that the government had lost control of student visa holders, leading to significant overcrowding in state schools and the housing market. Roberts claimed that allowing spouses and children to accompany students, along with relaxed work rights, created a financial windfall that resulted in $15 billion being sent overseas last year. Roberts cited specific concerns about the quality of certain courses, such as the early education graduate diploma at Southern Cross University, alleging they were dumbed down to facilitate permanent residency pathways. Roberts further argued that graduates from these programs lacked necessary English proficiency and understanding of child protection policies.