Senator Murray asked the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, upon notice, on 8 September 2003:

With reference to the Government's policy in relation to the Mugabe Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) Government, can the Minister advise if there are any students attending Australian universities who are related to current ZANU-PF members of the Government or parliamentarians in Zimbabwe.

Senator Vanstone (Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Reconciliation) —The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

The Australian Government implemented a comprehensive package of “smart sanctions” against the Mugabe regime in October 2002. This included restrictions on travel to Australia by 77 Zimbabwean ministers and senior officials; a freeze on any assets they may hold in Australia; down-grading of cultural links; and suspension of non-humanitarian aid, defence links and sales of defence-related equipment, as well as bilateral ministerial contact. Like other smart sanctions, Australia did not include family members of Zimbabwean ministers and senior officials in its restrictions on travel to Australia.

In terms of student visa requirements, the Australian Government operates an overseas student program that is universal and open to all genuine students. To be eligible for grant of a student visa, all student visa applicants must satisfy a set of strict objective criteria, assessing their English language proficiency, financial capacity as well as other legislative requirements.

In accordance with Australia's privacy laws, we are not able to disclose information about any individual student visa holder that might breach their privacy.