The Coalition is optimistic its legislation to make the Independent Youth Allowance fair to regional students will be debated and passed in the senate next week. The Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Education, Senator Fiona Nash, introduced the bill last October but Labor ensured it could not be debated. Senator Nash’s bill – called the Social Security Amendment (Income Support for Regional Students) Bill 2010 - seeks to amend the current legislation so that all regional students would be treated fairly Labor’s legislation unfairly targets thousands of students living in `inner regional’ areas by making them work harder, and longer, before they can qualify for the allowance. The map used to determine what regions students live in and their eligibility has also been heavily criticised and is considered inappropriate. Senator Nash says she’s pleased her bill will have the support of Independent Senator, Nick Xenophon. “Senator Xenophon has said he’ll support my bill in the absence of an alternative,” she said. “It’s hoped that means there’ll be the numbers to have the bill debated and passed in the senate.” The bill would then go to the House of Representatives. “I hope the Independents, Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott, support the bill as they did a Notice of Motion on the same matter,” Senator Nash said. “I also urge the Greens to rethink their position and show they are genuine about representing regional students. “The current legislation is an example of an out of touch Labor government. No student should be denied the right to fair access to education. Denying that right is exactly what Labor is doing now.”
The Coalition is optimistic its legislation to make the Independent Youth Allowance fair to regional students will be debated and passed in the senate next week.
The Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Education, Senator Fiona Nash, introduced the bill last October but Labor ensured it could not be debated.
Senator Nash’s bill – called the Social Security Amendment (Income Support for Regional Students) Bill 2010 - seeks to amend the current legislation so that all regional students would be treated fairly
Labor’s legislation unfairly targets thousands of students living in `inner regional’ areas by making them work harder, and longer, before they can qualify for the allowance. The map used to determine what regions students live in and their eligibility has also been heavily criticised and is considered inappropriate.
Senator Nash says she’s pleased her bill will have the support of Independent Senator, Nick Xenophon.
“Senator Xenophon has said he’ll support my bill in the absence of an alternative,” she said.
“It’s hoped that means there’ll be the numbers to have the bill debated and passed in the senate.”
The bill would then go to the House of Representatives.
“I hope the Independents, Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott, support the bill as they did a Notice of Motion on the same matter,” Senator Nash said.
“I also urge the Greens to rethink their position and show they are genuine about representing regional students.
“The current legislation is an example of an out of touch Labor government. No student should be denied the right to fair access to education. Denying that right is exactly what Labor is doing now.”
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