The Tertiary Education Minister, Senator Chris Evans, can’t keep avoiding regional students affected by the Labor government’s changes to Independent Youth Allowance. The Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Education, Senator Fiona Nash, last October, invited him on a tour of regional areas to meet those who’ve been affected. Students living in `inner regional’ areas now have to work longer to qualify for the assistance. Many are struggling to meet the strict 30 hour a week work rule because full time jobs are difficult to find in the country. Students say working such hours while studying is also near to impossible. Senator Nash added the map used to determine what regions students live in and their eligibility is inappropriate, and is used by the health department. “Senator Evans ignored the invitation to tour and discuss changes to the Independent Youth Allowance, despite thousands of students being impacted,” she said. “His reply two months later said very little on the matter. Interestingly he did say a sustainable higher education is “essential to Australia’s social and economic prosperity”. The senate inquiry was told access to a good education is also essential to Australia’s economic and social prosperity. “Senator Evans said he plans to visit New South Wales this year to examine the government’s higher education and vocation education and training initiatives. If he’s not prepared to tour with me, he should add Independent Youth Allowance to his itinerary. “The recent senate hearing into my bill heard compelling evidence on the effect the changes are having on not just students, but their families and communities. “I note the Greens education spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, was absent from the hearing despite being a full member of the senate committee. The Greens make out they represent regional students on this issue yet this is another example of them being missing in action and lacking credibility.”
The Tertiary Education Minister, Senator Chris Evans, can’t keep avoiding regional students affected by the Labor government’s changes to Independent Youth Allowance.
The Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Education, Senator Fiona Nash, last October, invited him on a tour of regional areas to meet those who’ve been affected.
Students living in `inner regional’ areas now have to work longer to qualify for the assistance. Many are struggling to meet the strict 30 hour a week work rule because full time jobs are difficult to find in the country. Students say working such hours while studying is also near to impossible.
Senator Nash added the map used to determine what regions students live in and their eligibility is inappropriate, and is used by the health department.
“Senator Evans ignored the invitation to tour and discuss changes to the Independent Youth Allowance, despite thousands of students being impacted,” she said.
“His reply two months later said very little on the matter. Interestingly he did say a sustainable higher education is “essential to Australia’s social and economic prosperity”. The senate inquiry was told access to a good education is also essential to Australia’s economic and social prosperity.
“Senator Evans said he plans to visit New South Wales this year to examine the government’s higher education and vocation education and training initiatives. If he’s not prepared to tour with me, he should add Independent Youth Allowance to his itinerary.
“The recent senate hearing into my bill heard compelling evidence on the effect the changes are having on not just students, but their families and communities.
“I note the Greens education spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, was absent from the hearing despite being a full member of the senate committee. The Greens make out they represent regional students on this issue yet this is another example of them being missing in action and lacking credibility.”
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