The Group of Eight has advice for whoever is minister on Monday

In a last pre-election paper the lobby urges the new government to keep Australia connected to the global talent supply chain.

“We should create a new paradigm where international students are not seen in economic terms but increasingly as a rich reservoir of much valued and much needed talent.”

Specific ways to accomplish this include,

* a new visa for “high potential individuals” from “top global universities” who are graduates “in areas of workforce need

* a scholarship programme for “high performing” students from a diverse range nations,” in disciplines such as engineering and IT

“We are behind other nations in re-establishing both our international sector and our post-pandemic engagement with the world, the Go8 warn.