The Coalition’s Regional Education spokesperson, Senator Fiona Nash, has challenged federal Independent MP, Rob Oakeshott, to a debate on independent youth allowance.
Many students in Mr Oakeshott’s electorate of Lyne are struggling to access independent youth allowance after changes the Labor government made to the criteria.
Rather than support the Coalition’s attempts to immediately fix the problem, Mr Oakeshott backed Labor to instead wait months until after a review. He even seconded a motion in support of the Coalition’s bill proceeding, spoke in favour of it, and then changed his mind.
“Mr Oakeshott caved in to pressure from the Labor government and left regional students out in the cold,” Senator Nash said.
“His media release at the time shows he’s not only a Labor lapdog but naïve in believing this hopeless government.”
He said: “…I am pleased this ‘inner versus outer’ discrepancy is being cleaned up. Further, I am pleased the timeframe has been guaranteed for an introduction of legislation before the end of 2011, with a start date for the 1st January 2012.”
This is despite Labor’s Tertiary Education Minister, Senator Chris Evans, failing to guarantee during senate estimates any such discrepancy would be addressed. He said: "the answer isn’t as some people seem to think (that) from the 1st January next year inner regional students will get the same conditions as outer regional students."
“Mr Oakeshott should have immediately picked up the phone and demanded an explanation from the minister,” Senator Nash said.
“If he’s so adamant he’s done the right thing by regional students in his electorate and across Australia, then he should accept my challenge to a debate on the issue.
“He’s been keen to defend his actions and decision to put Labor in government in a debate with 2GB’s Ray Hadley. He should do the same on independent youth allowance.”
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