Mrs MAY (9:05 PM) —I recently had the pleasure of officially launching Study Gold Coast Australia. This project was supported by the Gold Coast Area Consultative Committee, which provided funding for the initiative through the federal government's Regional Assistance Program. The launch was a celebration of excellence in education—a celebration of excellence which is recognised nationally and internationally. Australia has one of the best education and training systems in the world, and the launch is the first stage of a strategy to position our region on the Gold Coast as a preferred education destination in a global market.

The Gold Coast Education and Training Network, with chief executive officer Sir Frank Moore and chairperson Deb Daly at the helm, is undoubtedly one of Australia's most successful cluster initiatives, representing over 100 education providers on the Gold Coast. The cluster includes our schools, universities, TAFE and vocational education institutions, to name a few. International students have an enormous choice of excellent schools, training providers and universities from which they can receive a high-level education that is second to none. Sir Frank Moore has driven this initiative. His vision and passion for the project now places the Gold Coast in a very strategic position to become the preferred destination for education in a global market. Over the next nine years the industry growth is projected at around 118 per cent. This education cluster initiative on the Gold Coast sets up our region for the future—a future in which to capitalise on a growth industry.

The Gold Coast region offers a unique opportunity for students. Over 100 educational providers, including four universities, mean that students can access educational pathways from English studies through to trade certificates, as well as world-recognised undergraduate and postgraduate programs. It offers all this in a subtropical climate, boasting 40 kilometres of surfing beach and year-round swimming—a very attractive package. Australia's Gold Coast is one of the most dynamic regions in the world and an ideal location in which to live, study, work and play. The launch was the first stage of that global positioning strategy, which includes the launch of the new web site. That web site will be a wonderful tool for promoting the Gold Coast as the No. 1 destination for international students to study and work. All the providers in the cluster are listed on the web site. It is easy to browse, the information is excellent and the links are first-rate.

On the Gold Coast, we already attract students from around the world—from places such as the Scandinavian countries, England, Germany, Japan, China, India and Pakistan, and many students from America. The Howard government recognises the economic benefits to this country from those international students. The education industry is worth more than $500 million a year to our local economy on the Gold Coast. This project is further evidence of our innovation city moving ahead with vision and commitment, recognising its strengths in the education sector and capitalising on those strengths on the international stage. Gold Coast City is a city of contrasts. It has a natural beauty. As a city it is recognised as the tourism capital of Australia. We know we can build on that reputation and become the education capital of Australia. We have the best in education, from our schools—both public and private—to our universities and all that lies in between.

We are a city of opportunities, a city of growth and vision and, through our education providers, we are taking our excellence to world. I have no doubt we will attract many more overseas students to study in our special part of the world through this innovative cluster. Of course, as the number of students increases, so will the jobs in the industry. An estimated 1,000 new full-time equivalent jobs could be created in this industry each year over the next 10 years. The Commonwealth government and the Gold Coast Area Consultative Committee, headed up by Annie Norton-Knight and supported by all Gold Coast federal members of parliament, are all behind this project. We wish Sir Frank and his team every success for the future with the education cluster.