Lord Mayor Candidates Debate on International Students' Rights and Policies
The Lord Mayor Candidates Debate on International Students' Rights and Policies, organized by Future Forte Australia, brought together six candidates vying for the leadership of Melbourne. Held at Scape Australia La Trobe, this pivotal event was designed to amplify the voices of international students and tackle their most pressing concerns. Moderated by Dr. Belle Lim and Riya Gupta, the debate created an open forum for candidates to share their plans for the future of international students in the City of Melbourne.
The candidates—Lord Mayor Nick Reece, Cr Jamal Hakim, Arron Wood AM, Roxane Ingleton, Philip Reed, and Greg Bisinella—did not hold back in addressing the major issues international students face. Topics ranged from wellbeing and safety to employment rights and community integration. The students, keenly aware of the relevance of these issues to their daily lives, engaged actively with the candidates.
One of the standout moments came from Cr Jamal Hakim, whose approach to addressing issues at a fundamental level struck a chord with the audience. His focus on safety, wellbeing, and community integration offered a hopeful outlook for creating meaningful change. Roxane Ingleton also impressed the audience with her commitment to inclusiveness and diversity, both within her campaign and beyond. Her dedication to ensuring that all voices, especially those of international students, are heard was inspiring.
Lord Mayor Nick Reece proudly declared Melbourne’s ambition to move from being Australia’s top city for international students to the world’s best. This sentiment was echoed by many candidates who also shared their commitment to making Melbourne a more inclusive, supportive, and accessible city for students.
Riya Gupta, one of the event’s moderators, reflected on the significance of the debate. “As an international student myself, this is an issue very close to my heart. It was inspiring to see so many candidates genuinely care about and understand the challenges we face. I hope that whoever is elected will continue advocating for us and making Melbourne a welcoming home for all international students.”
The event was not only a success in terms of candidate engagement but also in providing a platform for international students to voice their concerns directly to those in power. With Melbourne being a global hub for education, it is essential that the needs of international students—especially in areas like affordable housing, safety, and work opportunities—remain at the forefront of the city’s agenda.
The debate marked a crucial step forward in ensuring that international students have a say in shaping policies that directly affect them. It also highlighted the power of student advocacy in driving political conversations. Future Forte Australia remains committed to supporting international students and ensuring their voices continue to be heard.