An Australian senator has called for "drastically reducing" the student visa numbers in the country, where India is the second largest source of international students after China.
Fraser Anning, from the conservative Bob Katter's Australian Party, in his maiden speech at the Senate, targeted foreign students by asking for an "end to Australian-job-stealing 457 visas" and "force international students to return to their country of origin once they finish their education", SBS News reported.
Anning used his first speech yesterday to urge a host of changes to Australia's immigration policy and also sought a national vote on whether to ban Muslim migration.
"Student visas should be drastically reduced in number. This will create more university places for Australians, whose parents have actually paid for the universities with their taxes in the first place," Anning said.
"Those studying here who decide to apply to immigrate should be required to return to their country of origin after their qualification and to apply as part of the general migration programme."