Friday September 26, 2008

PEAK BODY URGE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS TO EXERCISE THEIR VOTING RIGHTS

The peak body for International Students in Australia, National Liaison Committee for International Students (NLC) are concerned that many of their students in the community are not aware of their rights to vote in the upcoming Melbourne City Council elections.

"International Students are very in need of advocacy and welfare related services as there have been increasing safety concerns and lack of good practice by some of the private institution businesses in the city area" President, Mr Eric Pang said.

"The Melbourne City election is a good opportunity for International Students in Melbourne to demand for an improvement of these services and the basic rights to be treated as a student to have access to public transport concession in Victoria."

"NLC welcomed the proposal by Mr. Fowles to establish the $1.4m International Student Centre by the City of Melbourne addressing the special needs of International Students in advocacy & welfare related services." Mr Pang added.

International Students above 18 years of age who are residents of Melbourne are urged to apply to be enrolled to vote in the upcoming Melbourne City Council elections on www.melbourne.vic.gov.au (click on the green icon ‘Election 2008’ on the right column). Students are reminded that the roll is due before 4pm on Friday October 3, 2008.

For media enquiries, please contact Eric Pang on 0416 801 928.