Greens spokesperson for Education, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says the Federal Government must take seriously concerns about changes to Youth Allowance eligibility within the Federal Budget.

The Greens announced this morning that they would be referring Budget changes to the Youth Allowance to a Senate Inquiry and moving to amend the legislation when it reaches the Senate. Of particular concern is the removal of two of the three work eligibility criteria for a young person to qualify as independent, effective from January 2010.

“Education Minister Julia Gillard and her Government must take seriously the concerns being raised by students about these changes to Youth Allowance, and the effect those changes will have on their welfare and educational outcomes,” said Senator Hanson-Young.

“Parents too are concerned about the impact these changes will have on their children’s study careers and family budgets.

“The Education Minister’s dismissive response this morning shows how ill-thought out and unfair this policy is, and that the Minister is out of touch with the realities for these young people and their families.

“Papers around the country today feature reports and letters to the editor about how these changes will impact negatively upon the educational opportunities for young people.

“The Minister must listen to the electorate on this. The impact these changes will have is inconsistent with the rhetoric of the Rudd Government’s ‘education revolution’.”

Senator Hanson-Young said the changes were effectively “moving the goalposts” for young people who had been working this year, in the good faith that they would be eligible for Youth Allowance to support themselves during their studies.

 “While the economic climate remains tumultuous, more and more young people will elect to educate themselves further and skill up to be well prepared for when the job market becomes brighter – and they must be adequately supported in doing so,” she said.

“The Greens will be referring these changes, under the Social Security Act, to the Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Committee, and will move to amend the legislation when it reaches the Senate.”