Prime Minister Julia Gillard is rejecting the notion of democracy by denying members of parliament the right to consider and debate the Coalition’s independent youth allowance bill, the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Education, Senator Fiona Nash, said.
The senate passed the Social Security Amendment (Income Support for Regional Students) Bill 2010 yesterday. The bill seeks to reinstate the original and fairer criteria for `inner regional’ students, making it easier for them to qualify for the allowance and afford tertiary studies.
“The bill was then to go to the House of Representatives but the Prime Minister confirmed today she’ll do anything to try and stop that from happening,” Senator Nash said.
“Labor’s claim that the bill is unconstitutional is highly questionable. It’s been deemed constitutional by both the President of the Senate and Clerk of the Senate.
“On the issue of costing, the Prime Minister’s assertion that the Coalition hasn’t costed the bill is absolute rubbish. The Coalition proposes it be funded from the Education Investment Fund as to be budget neutral. The costing was also submitted to Treasury during the 2010 election. Treasury did not raise any issues.
“The Prime Minister now says she’ll stop the bill from proceeding to the House of Representatives contrary to standard procedure. There should be a motion asking the House to consider the bill. If successful, it is then a matter for the House whether it passes the bill and a matter for the Government whether it presents it to the Governor General.
“It should not be the call of Prime Minister Gillard, it should be the decision of elected representatives. This is a democracy.
“Julia Gillard and Labor are trying to kill off the bill because they’re worried it may be passed, as a Notice of Motion on the same matter did last September.
“I invite the Prime Minister to visit regional areas with me, and meet the students affected by Labor’s changes to the youth allowance legislation.
“I also urge the Independent MPs to support this bill which will provide much needed assistance to students in their electorates.”
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