Sophie calls on students and parents to fight for Youth Allowance
13-January-2011
Sophie Mirabella MP, Federal Member for Indi has again called on local students and parents to put pressure on the Federal Labor Government to fix unfair Youth Allowance rules that discriminate against country students.
"Local students are currently preparing to re-locate to university and the costs are beginning to hit home. I have received a huge amount of calls from parents who are struggling with the cost burden and who are frustrated that the Gillard Government continues to ignore them," Mrs Mirabella said.
"The Labor Party has drawn a line that doesn’t make sense and divides country students. If you live in an ‘Inner Regional’ area like Wangaratta, Wodonga, Benalla or Myrtleford you miss out, but if you live in ‘Outer Regional’ areas like Mansfield, Bright or Corryong, you can still qualify under the old criteria.
"The new eligibility requirements are unworkable and unfair to country students and it just goes to show how out of touch Ms Gillard is with country communities.
"The Coalition has been pressuring the Government to reverse these discriminatory rules for over a year now, but it’s important that local students and parents take up the fight too.
"I would encourage anyone who is concerned about the education of country students to send a message to Labor by signing the petition which is available at the following locations."
- Office of Sophie Mirabella MP: 117 Murphy St, Wangaratta
- Office of Bill Tilley MP: 14 Stanley St, Wodonga
- Office of Bill Sykes MP: Shop 2, 55 Carrier Street Benalla