Time is running out for the Independent MPs to decide if they’ll support a bill that will make Independent Youth Allowance fair for regional students.
The Coalition’s Social Security Amendment (Income Support for Regional Students) Bill 2010 is expected to come to the House of Representatives as early as next Monday.
It seeks to have the same, fairer criteria for all regional students to access Independent Youth Allowance. Students living in `inner regional’ areas have limited work flexibility and must defer 18 months to two years to qualify, under changes the Labor government made.
Crossbenchers in the senate - Independent senator, Nick Xenophon, and Family First Senator, Steve Fielding – supported the bill and it passed in the senate last week.
“Its fate now rests with the four Independents in the House of Representatives,” the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Education, Senator Fiona Nash, said.
“Their support can help ensure the bill is debated in the House of Representatives and stop Labor’s attempt to gag it and kill it off.
“They supported a Notice of Motion on the same matter last year. The circumstances haven’t changed so I hope, for the sake of regional students, they don’t have a change of heart.”
Senator Nash has tried to contact each of the Independents and has written to them, urging them to support the Coalition’s bill.
“There is no excuse not to support this bill. Contrary to Labor’s claims, the bill’s been deemed constitutional by the Clerk of the Senate and President of the Senate, and is budget neutral,” she said.
“Most importantly, it will mean thousands of students across regional Australia will be treated fairly, which is the least they deserve.”
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