In a recent media interview Independent member for Lyne, Robert Oakeshott, responded to a question about what the independents have achieved in the first six months for regional Australia.
Mr Oakeshott was quick off the mark to respond with “We had a debate on the floor of the parliament today on youth allowance…”
Mr Oakeshott trying to take credit for this is extraordinary.
"The only reason the independent youth allowance issue was even in the House of Representatives was as a result of the Coalition bill Social Security Amendment (Income Support for Regional Students) Bill 2010 which I introduced in the senate," Senator Nash said.
"The only issue that was being debated in the House was whether or not the House of Representatives agreed to debate on the bill proceeding."
"Mr Oakeshott voted not to debate the bill. He refused to stand up for regional students in his electorate. The fact that he would then try to take credit for the issue being debated in the House of Representatives is beyond belief.
“This bill attempted to provide ‘inner regional’ students, many who live in the independents electorates, with fair access to Independent Youth Allowance. The Independents voted the Coalition’s bill down,” Senator Nash said.
"The Prime Minister should agree immediately to amend the legislation and make the Independent Youth Allowance fair for all regional students. It's the least they deserve," Senator Nash said.
Thursday, February 24, 2011 11:45 AM
If Mr Oakeshott was proud of "his" achievements in the past 6 months, why didn't he approach the Prime Minister 6 months before with a plan to allow Inner-regional students (which constitute his electorate) access to fairer Independent Youth Allowance eligibility criteria?
Why did Mr Oakeshott, after deploring the unfair changes as a, “hybrid youth allowance scheme” not plan to discuss the issue or open it to the Parliament when it was most pertinent?
Why did Mr Oakeshott never respond to a single email pleading for him to do something about the inequitable changes over the past two years?
Why is Mr Oakeshott reneging on his promise to students back then who are still left out in the cold, whilst celebrating the Government's back-down as his own personal victory?
Why did Mr Oakeshott claim he debated, "on the floor of the Parliament today on youth allowance…”, when for the most part of his self-indulged speech spoke of the unconstitutionality of the Bill and not of the stark inequity in his own electorate?
These are the sorts of questions people are asking. If Mr Oakeshott was really concerned for the students in his electorate or students in any Inner-regional area he would have acted sooner and not sacrificed those students that undertook a Gap Year last year and now this year. His apathy has caused two consecutive cohorts to miss out on any fairer system whilst students in the future will benefit.
The question rural families and students will ask now is, will Mr Oakeshott help those students that have already completed their Gap Year in 2010/2011 but will be grandfathered by the new changes, and therefore miss out?
Over to you Mr Oakeshott...
Thursday, February 24, 2011 8:11 PM
I could not agree more with Senator Nash and Hayden. I do understand how out of touch Mr Oakeshott is...he is an absolute disgrace and should resign immediately.
My question to him is what happens to the youths who took a gap year 2010. He is actually saying is too bad too sad, get over it.
# Peter and Cathy Sniekers
Thursday, February 24, 2011 9:20 PM
We still can't believe it. Regional independents voting against discussing an issue of major importance to regional tertiary students in major regional towns? Pinch me I must be dreaming.... just today responded to a questionnaire from Tony Windsor received in the mail today asking for our views on youth allowance for inner region tertiary students. Bit late?