Government should separate scholarships from YA
25 Nov 2009
Media release If Minister Gillard were serious about her concern for the missing 2010 scholarships, she would separate them into a separate Bill that the Coalition would be able to prioritise and support immediately, according to Shadow Education Minister Christopher Pyne.
"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," said Mr Pyne.
"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.
"If the Government wants the Coalition to support their Youth Allowance reforms, then they know they need to fix the bill so it won't hurt country students. If they refuse to do that, then they can introduce a new Bill to provide the scholarships, and we'll happily support that.
"But so long as Minister Gillard keeps sending the same Bill back and forth between the House and the Senate, then they are just wasting everyone's time - particularly students in what Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young described as 'her cruel and twisted way'."
November 25, 2009
MEDIA CONTACT:
Adam Howard
0400 414 833