Responding to comments made by Minister Evans today, the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Education, Senator Fiona Nash, said she is far from confused about independent youth allowance.
“Firstly, I certainly haven’t ‘welcomed’ the Minister’s announcement today. The government has finally just done the right thing and moved to treat regional students the same,” Senator Nash said.
The Coalition has been relentless in demanding the government stop discriminating against students in inner regional areas and make changes to the independent youth allowance criteria to make it fair for regional students.
“There should never have been a separate set of criteria for independent youth allowance for students in the inner regional areas,” Senator Nash said.
“It should never have been this hard to get a fair go for regional students and their families.”
“I have consistently said that the independent youth allowance measures were not the best way for students to access assistance – but at the very least they should be fair for all regional students.
“I have also consistently said there should be a complete review of the system, to provide a better way for regional students to have equity of access to tertiary education,” Senator Nash concluded.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 5:43 PM
Whilst it is good to hear that the government has finally acknowledged the flaws of its system, that detrimentally discriminated against young rural and regional Australians. It stills falls short of making up for its woefully inadequate policies. As a student of the 2009 school leaver cohort, I now have to wait until 2012 for even a glimmer of hope. Why should my family continue to struggle through this year without recompense or recognition from the government? At least we have our champions, with Nash and Pyne at the bloody fore of the fight. I trust the government will be held up to their promises, and make good on their rhetoric. Otherwise they will be again seen to batter the hopes and aspirations of the kids from the bush and the farm.
Wednesday, January 04, 2012 11:20 AM
Hi Daniel, thanks for your comments.
It is unfortunate that so many regional students like yourself were impacted by the Labor government's unfair changes to independent youth allowance, and that it refused to listen for so long.
As part of the government's backflip, the changes will apply to 2009 and 2010 school leavers, meaning you can apply under the fairer criteria.
The Coalition will be watching closely to ensure regional students get a fair deal.
Best of luck with your studies.