Government cancels the debate on Youth Allowance

The Labor Government has abandoned thousands of young people by abolishing Commonwealth Scholarships and refusing to negotiate on a replacement, Christopher Pyne, Shadow Minister for Education said today.

"I am astonished at the Minister's arrogance, conceit and vanity. Because she can apparently never be wrong, she has refused to negotiate on the Bill, she has refused to take up the Coalition's offer to separate the scholarships from the Bill and has now decided to give up on the Bill completely until next year," Mr Pyne said.

" Earlier in the year the Labor Government abolished Commonwealth Scholarships. This means that as of January 2010 no student will receive a scholarship due to Labor's legislative mismanagement and refusal to negotiate," he said.

The Minister has made no attempt at any stage to pick up the phone and discuss the Coalition's concerns in an attempt to secure passage of this legislation.

The Coalition cannot support legislation that cuts out the 'gap year' pathway to Independent Youth Allowance for students who must leave home to attend University, unless a realistic alternative provision is put in place.

"We cannot on principle support legislation that is retrospective in its effect. The Labor Government is seeking to change the goal posts on any students who made a good faith decision to take a year off in order to earn Independent Youth Allowance based on the advice of Centrelink officials and their schools' careers advisers.

"Australia deserves better than a part-time Education Minister,"Mr Pyne said.

December 2, 2009

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