Transport Concessions 
The campaign to get travel concessions for international students continues. After a win for international students in the Administrative Decisions Tribunal in 2006 the NSW State Government changed the law to allow them to continue NOT granting travel concessions to international students. The full history of the campaign over the past year or so is below.
Student organisations and student representatives across NSW continue to work on this issue. The best way you can help the campaign is to get involved with your representative student organisation. At Sydney University SUPRA is the body representing postgrads and SRC is the body representing undergrads.
For postgrads SUPRA has an International Student Officer – so once you subscribe you can email any suggestions or ideas you have for them to admin@supra.usyd.edu.au.
Download Transport Concession Fact Sheet.
Recently Jenny Leong and Ruchir Punjabi spoke with Chinese TV regarding the Transport Concession Campaign. For international students who can read Chinese see the full transcript HERE. If you would like to volunteer to translate this story into English please get in contact with SUPRA’s President by emailing president@supra.usyd.edu.au
An Update on Travel Concessions for International Students from Aristotle Paipetis
“The successful racial discrimination case against the NSW Minister for Transport Services, STA, RTA and Railcorp, highlighted the prejudicial behaviour of the government and its instrumentalities in its dealings with international students. The effect of the decision is that the government unlawfully denied international students travel concessions and overcharged them for public transport fares by 50%. This was nothing short of disgraceful and wholesale discrimination.
Instead of challenging the decision on legal principles, the government took the extreme step of passing special legislation which made the discrimination lawful, as from September 2006. This conduct, which is a denial of human rights, has damaged the reputation of NSW as a choice destination for international students, who are looking to study in other states (eg Queensland and South Australia), which offer travel concessions.
While the new law makes it virtually impossible for international students to apply for travel concessions from September 2006, it does not affect the entitlement of international students who were denied travel concessions before September 2006, from applying to the Anti Discrimination Board to be compensated for being overcharged for fares on public transport before September 2006. Indeed a group of international students have already successfully done so.
If you are/were an international student enrolled before September 2006, you may wish to consider whether you have a claim against the government to recover 50% of the fares you paid using public transport prior to September 2006. Please contact our office if you would like to discuss. Please be aware that if you bring such a claim, your current and future residency status will not be affected.”
Aristotle Paipetis is the solicitor working with SUPRA on the Travel Concessions campaign.
Page Contents
Get Active: Participate in the Transport Concessions Campaign
The Administrative Decisions Tribunal Ruling: Find out more about SUPRA's victory in March 2006
Background: Read and download information about the isssue of transport concessions for International students in NSW
The Cross-Campus Concessions Coalition: Find out about the CCCC and what it is doing across NSW to end this discrimination against International Students
Travel Concessions for International Students
In 2006 former Federal Education Minister Bishop wrote to the NSW Transport Minister requesting that the NSW Government provide transport concessions to International students. The Minister noted the $10 Billion contribution to the economy made by International students and stated in the interests of the industry that all levels of Government work together.
While the Federal Government has acknowledged the seriousness of the issue the NSW Government continues to treat our International students with disadin.
Keep up to date with this important issue by reading the latest SUPRA press release below.
Media Release - Wednesday 7th February 2007
Federal Government on track with travel discrimination claims
The Sydney University Postgraduate Representative Association (SUPRA) welcomes the Federal Education Minister’s request for the NSW Transport Minister to provide travel concessions to international students.
The fact that the Malaysian Education Minister has expressed concern about the continued discrimination faced by international students in NSW should be treated seriously at both the State and Federal level.
Jodie Coleman, Acting President of SUPRA said, “While the Federal Minister recognises how serious this issue is and the damage it has caused to the international education industry the NSW State Government continues to treat international students with disdain.”
SUPRA has campaigned for over 5 years for access to travel concessions. The Administrative Decisions Tribunal ruled in 2006 that the NSW Government was discriminating against international students, prompting the Government to change the law and allow this discrimination to continue. SUPRA currently has another complaint before the Anti Discrimination Board.
Aristotle Paipetis, solicitor acting for SUPRA, said, “The Government is completely ignoring the issue of fairness. They have also not done any proper financial modelling to back up their economic excuses. NSW needs to remain competitive in the international student market and offer incentives, otherwise international students may go to other less expensive states such as QLD and SA.”
Ms Coleman also stated, “The continuing claim by the NSW Transport Minister that international students want a ‘free ride’ is offensive. International students have always paid, and will continue to pay, for public transport just like everyone else. What international students, their Australian classmates, SUPRA and universities seek is access to travel concessions on the same terms and conditions as local students.”
Where can I get more information about the travel concessions campaign?
To get the full details of the travel concessions campaign, including suggestions for how to help the campaign, media coverage of the issue and some background information visit the Transport Concessions page of our website.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the SUPRA office on 9351 3715 or admin@supra.usyd.edu.au
Media Release - 6 September 2006
Minister for Transport Ordered To End Discrimination Against International Students.
The Administrative Decisions Tribunal (ADT) handed out its decision today with an order to prevent the NSW government from discriminating against international university students on grounds of nationality when they apply for transport concession in NSW. The ADT also made orders for the NSW Government to pay compensation, including interest, to the student applicants. Orders for costs were awarded to the applicants.
Aristotle Paipetis, solicitor acting for the applicants, said: “The Tribunal, in granting these orders, confirms that the Government has conducted itself with a flagrant disregard for the human rights of international students.”
In addition, the NSW Government is endeavouring to change the law to make their discrimination “lawful”.
Jenny Leong, spokesperson for CCCC said, “The continued pursuit by this Labor Government to amend the law to enshrine racial discrimination against international students is disgraceful.”
“The order handed down by the Tribunal today must not be ignored and the Minister must immediately withdraw the proposed legislative amendments which seek to allow the Government to continue its racist policy.” she added.
Ruchir Punjabi, spokesperson for CCCC said, “This is a great decision. The NSW Government must stop their stubborn disregard for the rights of international students. There can be no price placed on discrimination.”
“If would be a black mark on this State if the proposed amendment to the Transport Administration Act gets passed”, he added.
The complete decision can be found at: http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/adtjudgments/2006nswadt.nsf/f1a6baff573a075dca256862002912ec/
017f7566faa46ad6ca2571df001ddb82?OpenDocument
Over the past months SUPRA has been campaigning hard on the issue of travel concessions for international students. Now the Minister for Transport, John Watkins, is trying to introduce legislation into the NSW Parliament to side-step the decisions of the Administrative Decisions Tribunal (ADT).
We need your help - not just International students but everyone!
Here's how you can stop the NSW Government discriminating against International Students:
Ring or email one (or all) of the members of Parliament and tell them:
- You believe that the NSW Government should put an end to the current discrimination by granting ALL eligible students equal access to travel concessions
- You know that the Administrative Decisions Tribunal found the NSW Government in breach of the Anti-Discrimination Act. It is not okay for them to legislate their way out of the Tribunal's findings
- You are an International student so can't vote, but that you have told many of my Australian friends about this issue and they are not happy
or
You are a local student and have lots of International students in your classes/department and are ashamed by the current actions of the NSW Government
- You support the views of the Cross-Campus Concessions Coalition (see details below)
When writing or speaking to members who are not the Minister, please ask them NOT to support the bill (Amendments to Transport Act). Tell them they can get more information from www.supra.usyd.edu.au
Need some help writing your letter or email?
Download a document with points you might like to include in your correspondence: Stop Transport Discimination. Or you could download a Template Letter for International Students or Template Letter for Local Students.
People to Contact
NSW Minister for Transport, Hon John Watkins
Level 30 Governor Macquarie Tower
1 Farrer Place
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone (02) 9228 4866
Fax (02) 9228 4855
Email: dp.office@watkins.minister.nsw.gov.au
NSW Shadow Minister for Transport, Mr Barry O'Farrell
Phone: 9230 2213
Email: barry.o'farrell@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Rev Fred Nile MLC (Christian Democratic Party)
Phone: (02) 9230 2478
Email: F.Nile@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Rev Gordon Moyes (Christian Democratic Party)
Phone: (02) 9230 3340
Email: gordon.moyes@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Mr John Jenkins MLC (Outdoor Recreation Party)
Email: jon.jenkins@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Mr Robert Brown MLC (Shooters Party)
Email: robert.brown@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Dr Peter Wong (Unity)
Ph: (02) 9230 3523
Email: peter.wong@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Other NSW Politicians: You can also write, phone, fax or send an email to your local Member of Parliament and the Members of the Legislative Council. Contact details can be found at the following links: Members of Parliament and Members of the Legislative Council.
Contact the Media
Contact your local newspaper and let them know the Government is discriminating against International students. If you are an International student, contact your local newspaper and media and let them know about this discimination.
You can download and read these articles which show how the media has been reporting on this campaign:
- "Pollies keen to avoid fare go for foreign students" Sydney Morning Herald (28 March 2006)
- "Foreigners seek tickets to ride" Australian (29 March 2006)
- "Appeal against ruling on fares" Australian (3 May 2006)
- "Fare ban on foreign students" Telegraph ( 20 May 2006)
Contact your Embassy and Consulate
Let your Govermnent know that its citizens are subject to racial discrimination in Australia. Ask them if they are aware that the NSW Goverment is discriminating against International students by refusing to provide access to travel concesions. Tell them it is unacceptable for the NSW Government to be discriminating against International students in this way. Ask them to warn future students coming to NSW that they will be subjected to this discrimination unless the NSW Government complies with the ADT ruling. Ask your Government to relay your concerns to its Australian counterpart.
Join the SUPRA Contact List for this Campaign
Send an email to admin@supra.usyd.edu.au) and we will include you on the contact list for this ongoing campaign. As we have news, we'll email you with updates.
Tell your Classmates about this Discrimination
Your classmates and colleagues that are local students may not know that you don't receive transport concessions and are being discriminated against. Ask them to contact their local Member of Parliament on your behalf about this issue.
Phone or email the SUPRA President
We'd love to hear your ideas on campaigns and events to raise public awareness about this issue: president@supra.usyd.edu.au or 9351 3715.
The Administrative Decisions Tribunal Ruling
On 23 March 2006, the NSW Administrative Decisions Tribunal handed down its decision against the NSW Minister for Transport, the Director General of the Ministry of Transport, the State Rail Authority and the State Transit Authority finding them in breach of the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act for their failure to grant travel concession passes to International Students.
Jenny Leong, President of SUPRA said, “The Administrative Decisions Tribunal has handed down a decision which finds the NSW Government in breach of its own Anti-Discrimination Laws. This is a great win for international students and a tragic reflection on the current State Government.”
You can read the full decision by visiting Lawlink: SUPRA & ors v Minister for Transport & ors [2006] NSWADT 83. You can download these documents to read more about SUPRA's involvement in this campaign:
- Media Release before Decision
- Media Release on SUPRA's Victory
- Media Release on Rally at NSW Parliament
In 1989, the NSW Government withdrew access to public transport travel concessions from International students. Since that time, student organisations including SUPRA, individual students and other organsations have lobbied, requested and petitioned the Government to change this discriminatory practice through letters, submissions and petitions, as well as other public campaigns.
International full fee paying students are still not able to get transport concessions. The NSW Government has continually refused to reverse its policy.
SUPRA has always believed that International students should be treated in the same manner as their Australian colleagues with respect to access to transport concessions.
SUPRA is of the view that the NSW Government is discriminating against International students and that the Government is in breach of the Anti Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW) by its continued refusal to provide International students with access to travel concessions. SUPRA initiated and commenced a complaint to the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board in 2002. The basis of the complaint was that the Minister for Transport's refusal to provide full fee paying International students with transport concessions was - and continues to be - an act of discrimination based on race. Under the NSW Anti Discrimination Act, race is definied as including nationality.
For further details, download this document which outlines this issue and includes a timeline of the events: SUPRA and International Student Travel Concessions.
The Cross-Campus Concessions Coalition includes student representatives from the University of Newcastle, University of NSW, University of Technology Sydney, Macquarie University, University of Sydney, University of Western Sydney, and University of Wollongong. The Coalition was formed after the Administrative Decisions Tribunal found the NSW Minister for Transport, the Ministry of Transport, the State Rail Authority and the State Transit Authority in breach of the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act by not granting international students access to transport concessions. This decision can be accessed at: SUPRA & ors v Minister for Transport & ors [2006] NSWADT 83.
Clicking on the CCCC logo above will open a new window with information on the CCCC.
Contacts
For more information on the CCCC, contact: Ruchir Punjabi (0412 606 725), Jenny Leong (0412 145 215) or Shehbaz Singh (0415 995 233) or email or write c/o President, SUPRA Raglan St Building (G10), University of Sydney NSW 2006 or president@supra.usyd.edu.au
