Part-time Ministers indifference to rural
26 Aug 2009
Media release Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard today refused to guarantee that she would take action to ensure that rural and regional students currently completing their gap year will not be adversely affected by her youth allowance changes, said Christopher Pyne, Shadow Education Minister.
"Ms Gillard promised to 'think about it'. Her indifference is leaving gap year students in the cold," said Mr Pyne.
"The Opposition would have welcomed a move today to give gap year students peace of mind. Instead they have been met with the cold indifference we've come to expect from this Minister.
"Ms Gillard should put aside her personal animosity towards those who hold her to account, and act in the best interests of rural and regional young people: not next week, or next month, but now.
"The Opposition pointed out our concerns with the Minister's gap year cuts during Budget week in May. Petitions with tens of thousands of signatures have been presented in the Parliament. We have spoken at rallies attended by thousands more. I have spoken in the House, in Question Time and on my own motion, on a number of occasions over several months, about the need for reconsideration of this decision. Last Wednesday, rather than defend her policy, Julia Gillard voted to shut down debate all together.
"The Opposition has been raising this issue in the House, in the Senate, in Estimates, and in the media for over three months. Ms Gillard today acknowledged for the first time that it was an issue, but her response was hopeless. While I have been visiting University campuses and discussing this issue with students on the ground, the Government has been in denial.
"Time is an issue for these gap year students who are currently facing the prospect of missing out on entry to University next year. Julia Gillard can't be allowed to put her surprising sensitivity to criticism in front of sensible policy outcomes.
"A full-time Education Minister without the burden of so many important portfolios would not have introduced retrospective legislation in the first place," Mr Pyne said.
August 24, 2009
Media contact:
Adam Howard
0400 414 833