The Coalition’s Regional Education spokesperson, Senator Fiona Nash, said the Gillard government would be foolish to make changes to youth allowance in the federal budget.
Tighter control of welfare payments including youth allowance have been reportedly flagged in the budget when it’s handed down next Tuesday.
Senator Nash said the government would be silly to do so while there’s a review into youth allowance and other student income support.
“It just wouldn’t make sense when the taxpayer is already funding a review,” she said.
“It also worries me that more regional students will again be the victims of such changes as has already happened with the independent youth allowance.
“The Gillard government last year targeted students living in `inner’ regional areas by tightening the eligibility criteria, to save money. It’s resulted in thousands of regional-based students being unable to access the allowance to afford tertiary studies
“The Coalition is fighting to fix this and will not tolerate any other move that adds to their hardship.”
Senator Nash said Prime Minister Gillard must prove she’s serious that education and training will be key budget priorities by committing to immediately fixing the independent youth allowance debacle.
“Regional students should not be the Labor government’s cash cows, by depriving them proper access to assistance so it can save money,” she said.
“They’re not to blame for Labor’s wasteful and out of control spending.”
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