Youth allowance legislation set to fail

Last week new Youth Allowance legislation introduced by the Federal Government was blocked by the opposition and Senator Steve Fielding.

The failure of the Youth Allowance legislation means hundreds of thousands of potential students will miss out on start-up scholarships, relocation scholarships and Youth Allowance payments.

Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the president of the National Union of Students, David Barrow, have expressed disappointment and shock at the opposition and Family First Senator Steven Fielding’s decision to block changes to the Youth Allowance legislation.

Ms Gillard said students will now be the real losers as the Coalition and Family First Senator selfishly denied 150,000 students scholarships in 2010.

Barrow said he was “absolutely shocked” that Senator Fielding did not pass the measure. “For months he has spoken about the need to make universities accessible and make Australia a clever country,” he said.

“Labor is working through the kinks in what is an imperfect but good package – the Greens have been stellar on this issue and their amendments have improved the bill markedly and Nick Xenophon has come to the party. Now it’s time for Senator Fielding and the Coalition to step up and do what is right for students.”

Shadow Education Minister Christopher Pyne blames the government for the current crisis. “We warned the Government months ago that by separating the abolition and reintroduction of scholarships into two separate Bills, they were putting the whole scholarships system into jeopardy,” he said.

“Now the Government is trying to hold a gun to the Parliament’s head, threatening that unless we support their bill then no students will get scholarships in 2010. This is entirely the Government’s fault.”

Barrow has suggested politicians reconvene during their holidays to sort out the legislation. “Students will be working during their break – so can the politicians,” he said.

– By Liam Kinkead