Education Minister Julia Gillard’s temporary Rural Tertiary Hardship Fund does nothing to address the biggest problem of her tertiary education reforms – the inequity created between regional and metropolitan students.
Senator Fiona Nash, chair of the Senate’s Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee which has been inquiring into rural and regional access to secondary and tertiary education opportunities, said the temporary fix offered by the Minister was inadequate.
“Ms Gillard is attempting to buy off students in 2011 and 2012 but has done nothing to fix the long-term problem created by the Labor Government.
“The most important issue for rural and regional students is the Coalition’s amendment to keep the gap year criteria that allows them to qualify for Independent Youth Allowance by earning around $19,500 a year. In the absence of any other measure in the legislation addressing the financial inequity between regional and metropolitan students, the Coalition believes this provision must stay to ensure regional students have access to the financial assistance they so desperately need.
“The Coalition amendments to the Social Security and Other Legislations Amendment (Income Support for Students) Bill 2009 were passed in the Senate then rejected by the Government and independents. This is incredibly disappointing as it sells out rural and regional students.
“The Government can introduce new legislation that would provide scholarships for students who might miss out in 2010 due to the poor Labor strategy of tying Commonwealth scholarships to the passage of its flawed legislation and the Coalition will support that.”
Monday, December 07, 2009 9:05 PM
Hi Fiona
I was in a Coffs Harbour forum wher you and Luke addressed the group. At teh tiem I had adual motive as principal of Bellingen HS and step father to apotential gap year student, Andrew. Andrew is oversesas going to Swinbourne in 2010 under the belief the gap year for his cohort was preserved. I assume taht is no longer the case. Is it irredeemable? I was very impressed with your capacity to identify with parents in our situation. Regardless of political affilaitions it ws re assuring. My step son has no money from me ( by mutual wish) yet my income is counted against him
One of my other sons ( there are 5) is sadly picking cherries in Young where you have had the season from hell Regards Rob Stockton