Newcastle, NSW – A Chinese teenager visiting Australia on a cultural program was allegedly murdered by a fellow pupil in a tragic incident that has shocked the community.
Exchange Organisation Speaks Out The Council of Australian Student Exchange Organisations (CASEO) issued a statement expressing “heartfelt condolences” to the family, friends, and community affected by the incident.
CASEO clarified that the two teenage girls were not participating in a student exchange program but rather a “study abroad program”, which falls outside the regulatory remit of the NSW Government.
According to CASEO, the key distinction between the two programs lies in their legal and operational frameworks.
Student exchange programs involve reciprocal arrangements between registered non-profit exchange organisations, requiring placement in a host family and school enrolment for between three months and one year.
In contrast, study abroad programs involve full-fee paying students enrolled for short-term study without the reciprocal or formal exchange structure.
Investigation Ongoing The 13-year-old suspect was arrested at the scene and charged with murder on Tuesday.
The victim, 14, was rushed to John Hunter Hospital but later died from her injuries.
Police believe the girls did not know each other before arriving in Australia eight days ago and only became acquainted through the program.
Superintendent Tracy Chapman noted that the investigation may take longer due to language barriers and the girls not being Australian residents.
“Extensive inquiries with other students, teachers, parents, and the hosts, of course, to establish what the relationship was prior to last night,” Chapman said.
Police Appeal for Information Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
The 13-year-old girl is due to face court again in October with a Mandarin interpreter.
The community is left reeling from this tragic incident, and authorities are working tirelessly to uncover the circumstances surrounding the alleged murder.