Labor and the Independents, tonight, once again showed their contempt for regional students by refusing to make the independent youth allowance fair now, not several months later, or never.
“The Coalition moved an amendment to Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) legislation to reinstate the former and fairer eligibility criteria for `inner regional’ students from July 1, after a review,” the Coalition’s Regional Education spokeswoman, Senator Fiona Nash, said.
“Labor and Independent MPs, Rob Oakeshott, Tony Windsor and Andrew Wilkie, voted against it as they did a similar amendment to an Appropriations bill last month.
“Once again, Labor and the Independents are hanging regional students out to dry, making them wait for at least six months before any changes are made…if that happens.
“Yet two days ago Julia Gillard professed her passion for “extending every Australian child the opportunity of a great education and a great life” on Sky News’ Australian Agenda program. I almost choked on my cereal hearing such hypocrisy.
“It’s like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. She has a split personality when it comes to regional education. It’s time she was honest with the Australian people.”
Senator Nash renewed her challenge to Prime Minister Gillard to a debate on youth allowance in regional Australia.
“The deafening silence to date shows her contempt for regional students,” she said.
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