Nationals force Senate rethink of Labor’s Uni Rip-Off

The Nationals will seek to amend legislation in the Senate in relation to the Rudd Government’s $1.8 billion 2009 Budget cuts to Youth Allowance for university students, according to the Nationals Deputy Leader in the Senate, Fiona Nash. The Rudd Government Youth Allowance axe particularly disadvantages both students from regional Australia and regional Australian universities,” Senator Nash said. “That is why a growing number of people from regional Australia are signing the online petition at www.uniripoff.org.au, and that is why the Nationals want to amend the legislation.” “In addition to the planned Senate inquiry into the Youth Allowance legislation, we will immediately refer to a Senate Committee the broader issue of ensuring that there are adequate opportunities for students who are required to live away from home to further their education.” Senator Nash said the Government cuts were particularly cruel to regional students currently working during their gap year. “They were suddenly told they would have to work longer to qualify for the full rate of independent Youth Allowance.” “For many this will mean delaying university entry or giving up altogether on their tertiary education plans,” Senator Nash said. “On top of that Labor’s has replaced the $4415-a-year accommodation scholarships with a relocation allowance of $4000 in the first year and just $1,000 annually thereafter – costing regional students upward of $10,000 in lost payments.” “With protest meetings across regional Australia, students are now revolting against Labor’s education revolution.” “The fact Labor’s few MPs from regional Australia, including Justine Elliot (Richmond), Janelle Saffin (Page) and Mike Kelly (Eden Monaro), have remained silent proves they are more concerned with their careers in Canberra than the welfare of families in their electorates” Senator Nash concluded.

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