Senator Natasha Stott Despoja, in Melbourne for a Senate Committee inquiry into the Government's legislation to ban compulsory student union fees, will today launch a national postcard campaign to end discrimination against Austudy recipients.
Democrats' Higher Education Spokesperson Senator Natasha Stott Despoja, who initiated the Senate inquiry into student income support which was tabled in the Senate on June 23, said it was unfair that thousands of students around Australia were missing out on up to $98 each fortnight, simply because of their age.
Eligible full-time students under 25 are entitled to Youth Allowance, while full-time students aged 25 and over can only apply for Austudy. The basic payment rate is the same for both groups, but only Youth Allowance recipients are entitled to apply for additional Rent Assistance.
"The costs faced by students aged 25 and over are usually equal to if not greater than those faced by younger students," Senator Stott Despoja said.
"There is no rational basis for excluding older students from the extra assistance that Rent Assistance can provide."
Senator Stott Despoja will launch the postcard outside the Melbourne Town Hall this morning ahead of the Senate inquiry hearing, where she will also meet with students to discuss their concerns about the Government's legislation.
"Student income support issues such as this one are closely linked to the Government's anti-student unionism legislation," Senator Stott Despoja said.
"Students from lower socioeconomic status backgrounds are already suffering due to increased HECS fees and inadequate student income support measures.
"VSU will further disadvantage those students who rely on the services student associations provide - such as counselling, childcare and advocacy, to name a few.
The Senate inquiry will examine the likely effects of the Government's anti-student unionism legislation on student organisations, the student body in general, and universities. Public hearings will be held in Melbourne (today), Armidale (on Tuesday), Perth (on Wednesday), and Canberra (on Thursday).
Senator Stott Despoja will launch the postcard campaign at 8:15am this morning outside the Melbourne Town Hall.
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