During the federal election, the Prime Minister Julia Gillard outlined her vision for the country in 2013.
My vision is of a nation that creates jobs, invests in great education and health services and tackles the challenges of the future with confidence and optimism.
She should read her comments to news.com.au as a reminder.
The irony is Julia Gillard presided over changes to the Independent Youth Allowance that deny a “great education” to thousands of regional students. Those living in `inner regional’ zones now have to work 30 hours a week for 18 months. Many will have to defer tertiary studies for up to two years despite few universities accepting deferment beyond a year. Others will struggle to qualify.
The zone in which a student lives, and their eligibility, is determined by lines on a map....used by the health department. Not only is it unsuitable, there are cases where a student is deemed eligible yet another in the same town or same street is not.
A recent senate inquiry hearing heard how these changes are impacting students, and that some may never go to university at all. Sally Quigley from the Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association told the hearing students in flood affected areas like Dubbo are struggling to meet the strict 30 hour rule because their workplace was affected. Much of the work in rural and regional areas is also seasonal.
Dorothy Creek from the Australian Parents’ Council mentioned the stress too. “It is such a big struggle and there is so much stress out there after the rural downturn with drought and now flood. The parents do not need the stress of how they are going to work out how they are going to afford for their children to attend university if they cannot get the independent rate and get it less than two years.
Many regional students have to relocate for tertiary studies, costing thousands of dollars a year. The WA-based South West Mental Health Service said the financial pressure has worrying ramifications for students, their families and local communities. Depression, domestic violence, loss of the home or car, and feelings of guilt, shame and isolation were mentioned.
Students don’t object to working to achieve an “independent” status. They see it as their contribution to society. But having to work several jobs, long hours and juggling it with study – to meet the criteria – is extraordinarily difficult. Apparently it’s enough for some to give up on their aspirations.
Rural Australia can’t afford a brain drain. We need a smart, skilled and innovative workforce, to grow food and fibre for an ever increasing population.
The overwhelming view is that the federal Labor government has got it terribly wrong with the Independent Youth Allowance. It must give all regional students equal treatment – that’s what my Private Senator’s Bill would do, at a cost of $90 million. The government needs to stop using cost as an excuse for not treating regional students fairly. It can find the money by curbing its spending and stopping waste.
Karen Tully from the National Rural Women’s Coalition told the inquiry: “I think the $90 million would mean untold gains in employment and outcomes and getting things happening over the very long future in rural, regional and remote Australia. The investment would have its returns and dividends time and time again.”
Even Kevin Rudd once said “education is both a tool of social justice as well as a fundamental driver of economic development”.
Public and political opposition to the independent youth allowance changes is strengthening.
The PM can’t keep her head in the sand for much longer.
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