The Fyles Government has extended its un-costed Vietnam trade mission to include a stopover in the Philippines for three days with “Minister of International Education” Ngaree Ah Kit joining the Deputy Chief Minister and two senior public servants to attract students from Manila to the NT.

Earlier this week, Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison declared she was going to Vietnam with Investment Commissioner Andy Cowan and Department of Industry chief executive Shaun Drabsch to “grow trade relationships” but that four-day trip was not costed, in contravention of the government’s policy of providing estimates on costs before taking overseas trips.

A press release from Ms Ah Kit about the trip being extended to include three days in Manila also did not include a cost estimate for the overseas trip.

“The three-day education delegation is part of a broader business delegation that has already departed for Vietnam and will move on to Manila, that aims to promote investment, attract both workers and students to the Territory and support the growth of trade relationships,” she said.

The government says Philippines has been identified as a priority source market for students from overseas, which it aims to increase from the 3400 international students currently studying in the NT.

Ms Ah Kit, who holds the portfolio of “International Education”, said international students injected $169 million into the NT economy in 2021 – apparently despite the country being in lockdown during the pandemic – and that “attracting more students will play an important role in reaching our $40 billion economy by 2030”.

The delegation to Manila – which will also include 10 education and training providers from the NT – will hold meetings with the Philippines Government, Manila-based representatives from DFAT and Austrade, international education agents, prospective students and their families, as well as “alumni of the Northern Territory, to position us at the top of the list for students from the Philippines”, Ms Ah Kit said.

“The Philippines education delegation is a valuable opportunity to grow this important sector by making the Northern Territory the destination of choice for students from overseas,” she said.

“They contribute to our economy, bolster our workforce and add to our vibrant multicultural makeup.”

The Labor Government has a long-standing policy of disclosing estimated travel costs to the public for all taxpayer-funded overseas trips involving a minister. It appeared to stop the practice in 2019 after questionable expenses were raised, but have not made an official comment about why it has not provided the estimated costs for the trips to Vietnam and Philippines.