Regional families encouraged to have their say in Youth Allowance Senate Inquiry, Davies.

Author: Mia Davies
Published on: 02-July-2009

Member for Agricultural Region, Mia Davies, has called for families living in regional WA to make submissions to a Senate Inquiry examining regional students’ access to education.

“Currently, students can receive Independent Youth Allowance if they work at least 15 hours per week for two years or they can earn at least $19,532 in an 18 month period after leaving school,” Ms Davies said.

“The changes made by the Federal Government means students will now have to work for 30 hours per week for 18 months which will force many students to defer their studies for two years or work full time while studying.

“It just makes participating in tertiary education that much harder, particularly for regional students, many of whom are studying away from the support of their family and friends.”

Ms Davies said the Inquiry was instigated by the Federal Nationals’ following the Rudd Labor Government’s short-sighted changes to the Independent Youth Allowance criteria, which will make it more difficult for students to qualify for Independent Youth Allowance and see at least 30,000 young students nationwide lose eligibility under the new rules.

“I will be making a submission to the enquiry and I encourage all regional families to consider doing the same,” Ms Davies said.

The Senate Inquiry examining the Rudd Government’s changes will receive submissions until August 7th, 2009.