Independents side with Labor to dud inner regional students
22-February-2011
The Coalition’s Independent Youth Allowance Bill was deemed “unconstitutional” by the Gillard Government and the regional Independent MPs, which again has left regional students with no certainty, Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton stated yesterday.
Mr Coulton said he was disappointed by the Independent MPs who sided with the Government to not allow the Coalition’s Independent Youth Allowance bill to enter the House of Representatives for debate.
The Social Security Amendment (Income Support for Regional Students) Bill 2010 which seeks to reinstate the original and fairer eligibility criteria for students living in `inner regional’ areas, was to be introduced into the House for debate after passing through the Senate during the first sitting week of the year.
“It appears all is not lost however, and I am pleased that the Government has decided to review the policy, with the promise of implementing the changes in 2012, however it still means students who finished school in 2009 or 2010 will have less rights than those in earlier or later years,” Mr Coulton said.
The Government yesterday announced they would seek a review of the policy to find the money to fund the $300 million it is expected to cost to implement the original criteria.
“We have succeed in putting regional students concerns to the Gillard Government, however we must now ensure they do not back down on their “promise” of review, which is something that this Government seems to do on a regular basis.”
“There has been too much uncertainty for regional students, for too long and it must be remembered that Julia Gillard was responsible for these appalling changes when she was Education Minister.”
“Labor has highlighted their complete disregard for regional students and regional Australia by not acting on this issue earlier.”