April 14, 2009
Media reports that university students are marrying to get around strict eligibility criteria for the Federal Government’s Youth Allowance has led to more calls for a review of the current system.
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has been outspoken in his campaign for greater government assistance for Gippsland university students, who face the expense of relocating to pursue their studies.
Mr Chester has been calling for a review of the criteria for the ‘independent’ rate of Youth Allowance for regional areas, so that all students who live more than 100km from university can receive the highest level of government support.
Mr Chester has also spoken in Federal Parliament about the need for the government to consider the introduction of tax incentives to assist families with the expense of funding a second household while children attend university.
“Now reports have come to light that tertiary students are so desperate for financial support, that some as young as 19 are resorting to marriage so they can be classed as an independent person and receive Youth Allowance,” Mr Chester said.
“I doubt that this is happening to a great extent at the moment but if even a handful of students have resorted to this action, then it shows that the current system is failing regional students.”
Mr Chester has been working with the Local Learning Employment Network (LLEN) in making various representations to the government calling for an urgent review of the Youth Allowance criteria.
“Many studies have shown that cost is the biggest obstacle stopping regional students from achieving a tertiary education,” Mr Chester said.
Mr Chester has previously raised the matter in Federal Parliament and has also called on the Government to introduce more cadetships, bonded scholarships or studentships to pay students an allowance while at university.
He said they could be tied to a requirement to work in a regional area for a fixed period after graduation. “Such programs in the health sector have enjoyed bipartisan support in the past and they need to be increased and broadened in their scope into the future,” Mr Chester said.
“There must be greater recognition of the extra costs borne by country families sending students away for tertiary studies.”
*As reported in the Sunday Telegraph, March 29 2009 (www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph)