Ensuring the voices of the industry are heard, representatives of the country’s four main international education peak bodies will join the panel: Brett Blacker, CEO of English Australia; Phil Honeywood, CEO of IEAA; Rod Camm, CEO of ACPET; Belinda Robinson, chief executive of Universities Australia.

“This membership represents a broad section of the international education sector”

Announcing the creation of the CIE, Australia’s minister for international education, Richard Colbeck, said that it will “provide the vital industry experience to enable Australia’s international education sector to be more adaptive, innovative and globally engaged”.

English Australia chair Marc Weedon-Newstead welcomed the representation of the Elicos sector on the panel, calling Blacker’s appointment a “key milestone in the reform process which began with the downturn seven years ago”.

“Brett’s appointment to the Council for International Education ensures we are in a position to influence the direction of the industry and provide a credible voice for our members going forward,” he added.

Championing the student voice on the committee will be the president of the Council of International Students Australia, currently Nina Khairina.

The Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry will also be represented on the committee by Jenny Lambert, its director of employment, education and training.

Completing the lineup are Tim Beresford, COO and deputy vice-chancellor of Macquarie University; Simon Maddocks, vice-chancellor of Charles Darwin University; Helen Zimmerman, chief corporate affairs officer at Navitas and Claire Field, principal of consulting firm Claire Field & Associates.

“This membership represents a broad section of the international education sector and an absolute wealth of experience. I welcome the opportunity to work with them as we progress the aims of the National Strategy for International Education 2025,” commented Colbeck.