The Labor government’s Tertiary Education Minister has labelled a bill that would help regional students afford university as nothing more than a political stunt, the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Education Senator Fiona Nash said.
Senator Nash’s Private Senator’s bill would make the Independent Youth Allowance eligibility criteria fairer to students living in `inner regional’ areas. Thousands of these students are struggling to qualify because of changes the Labor government made.
“But the minister, Senator Chris Evans, today referred to my efforts to have this important bill debated as just a political stunt,” Senator Nash said.
Senator Nash today in Question Time asked the minister why he’s so intent on gagging her bill. She has a letter he wrote to the President of the Senate asking him to stop the bill from being debated. Last week, Labor, the Greens and Independent senator also blocked an attempt to debate the bill.
“The minister flatly refused to explain his actions. Nor would he admit he was out of line in asking the President of the Senate to kill off my bill. The President of the Senate told the minister it was inappropriate. Further, the Clerk of the Senate disputed the minister’s claims that my bill could not be debated in the senate for constitutional reasons,” Senator Nash said.
“The minister is the one pulling a political stunt. He should explain to the regional students and their families why the Labor government’s hell bent on denying them assistance, yet recklessly spends money elsewhere.”
Sunday, November 28, 2010 9:19 PM
Thank you Senator Nash for fighting for inner regional students. How the boundaries are set are very wrong. This should also be explained by Chris Evans. Townsville with a large uni that has most courses including law and medicine is outer regional and Gladstone with limited courses is inner regional.
It is obvious Chris Evans and Ms Gillard have no idea of the cost to families when a child is required to move from home to study.
Saturday, December 11, 2010 8:33 AM
Please continue to push with this issue Senator. I have a child who left school in 2008 who took a gap year in 2009 in order to become eligible to qualify for youth allowance based on being independent. Unfortunately during 2009 he was unable to make the cut as he didn't secure enough full time work (which can be difficult to find for a person with no qualifications or experience). He decided that he would take 2010 to try again to qualify. He has now earned enough money to qualify for independence, but we live in an inner regional area and because of the changes to the rules this year he is no longer eligible. He could have been two years into his degree! This is important to us and many other afftected families. He has thought about not going to University now as he doesn't want to be a burden to his parents. We will now have three children to support through uni, the costs are enormous.
Sunday, December 12, 2010 8:51 AM
Donna & Kristine,
Thank you for your comments. The issue of Youth Allowance and how much it affects those outside of capital cities is being ignored by the government. It is great to see you being so engaged in the dispute.
May i recommend (if you have not already done so) that you sign my petition calling for more equitable access to youth allowance. The link is on the front page of the website.
Regards,
Fiona