MIRABELLA CALLS ON LOCALS TO HAVE THEIR SAY ON RURAL ACCESS TO EDUCATION

26-June-2009

The Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee yesterday announced the terms of reference for its inquiry into Rural and Regional Access to Secondary and Tertiary Education Opportunities.

Sophie Mirabella MP, Federal member for Indi is encouraging local people, especially local students and their families to make a submission to the inquiry.

“This is a great opportunity for local people to voice their concerns about the disadvantages young people from the north-east region face when pursing further education,” Mrs Mirabella said.

The report to be completed on 29 October 2009 will focus on: an assessment of the adequacy of Government measures to provide equitable access to secondary and post-secondary education opportunities to students from rural and regional communities attending metropolitan institutions, and metropolitan students attending regional universities or technical and further education (TAFE) colleges, with particular reference to:

a)      the financial impact on rural and regional students who are attending metropolitan secondary schools, universities or TAFE; the education alternatives for rural and regional students wanting to study in regional areas;

b)      the implications of current and proposed government measures on prospective students living in rural and regional areas;

c)       the short- and long-term impact of current and proposed government policies on regional university and TAFE college enrolments;

d)      the adequacy of government measures to provide for students who are required to leave home for secondary or post-secondary study;

e)      the educational needs of rural and regional students;

f)       the impact of government measures and proposals on rural and regional communities; and
other related matters.

“Ever since the Government announced its planned changes to the Youth Allowance in May, my office has been inundated with local students and their families telling me of the difficulty they face getting to uni,” Mrs Mirabella said.

“Now is the chance for local people to get these issues on the public record and to have an impact on policy making,” Mrs Mirabella concluded.

Written submissions can be made by August 7 and the committee encourages electronic lodgement to rrat.sen@aph.gov.au or by visiting the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee website: www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/rrat_ctte/rural_and_regional_education/tor. Public hearings will be scheduled after submissions are received