In response to the National Party’s ongoing attacks about youth allowance, the facts are these:
There is a $265 million Bill before the House of Representatives (not the Senate) right now that all MPs are considering.
It is a Bill negotiated directly with the Prime Minister by two Independent MPs. It is constitutional in the House of Representatives and the Senate. I urge the National Party and all MPs to support it.
If Senator Nash and the National Party continue their churlish attacks, people have a simple comparison to consider. In 2010, the National Party in the Senate negotiated the introduction of ‘inner versus outer regional’ criteria for independent Youth Allowance, which delivered an unfair, unworkable system and zero new dollars for regional students. In 2011, I have negotiated a $265 million package for students from the Mid-North Coast to increase access and participation rates in higher education.
Action, not words.
Rob Oakeshott MP
Federal Member for Lyne
