The Greens have resolved to move amendments to the Budget bill that contains changes to Youth Allowance eligibility criteria and refer the issue to a Senate Inquiry, in light of community concern and Government resistance.

Two of the three workforce participation eligibility criteria will be removed from the Independence Test for Youth Allowance from 1 January 2010. 30,700 students are estimated to be affected by the proposed changes, including many who are on a ‘gap year’ in 2009.

“Despite a significant community backlash over the proposed changes to Youth Allowance, there has been no apparent movement from the Government on this issue,” said Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens spokesperson for Education.

“Changing the rules over Youth Allowance eligibility halfway through the game for thousands of students is just not fair play.

“The retrospective effect of these workforce participation criteria being removed is indefensible territory for the Government.

“The Education Minister could amend the legislation herself to make it fairer, before it is even tabled in the Parliament.

“But if Minister Gillard refuses to do this, the Greens will be moving amendments to the legislation once it reaches the Senate.

“We are listening to the community and hear their legitimate concerns over the proposed changes.”

Senator Hanson-Young said the Greens would also move for a Senate Inquiry to look at the impact of the proposed changes to Youth Allowance on young people and their families.

The Inquiry would consider:
• the impact of the proposed changes on rural and regional students
• access to employment for low-skilled workers
• the increasing costs of both living away from home and higher education, and
• the obstacles rural and regional students face in accessing higher education.

“The Greens will move for a Senate Inquiry into these issues when the Senate resumes next week,” she said.

“In the meantime, I will continue to question the Government over their proposed changes to Youth Allowance eligibility during Senate Estimates this week.”