The Australian Democrats have responded to the news that the Prime Minister is considering rent relief by launching a petition and postcard reiterating their call for the Government to grant Austudy recipients access to Rent Assistance.
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.
"With falling vacancy rates and rising rents across the country, full-time students will feel the pinch," Democrats' Higher Education Spokesperson Senator Natasha Stott Despoja said.
Canberra, with four university campuses, has a rental vacancy rate of just 1.1 per cent. Adelaide rents are expected to rise by 10 to 15 per cent in the next three years alone.
"The skills that students gain during their time at university are critical to Australia's future competitiveness. Giving students some additional financial security to help them focus on their studies is in the national interest," Senator Stott Despoja said.
"I urge all those who are concerned about this discriminatory treatment of Austudy recipients to let the Senate know your views by signing this petition," Senator Stott Despoja said.
Copies of the postcard and petition are available from Senator Stott Despoja's office or www.democrats.org.au/campaigns/rent_assistance_petition/
In 2004, Senator Stott Despoja initiated the first ever Senate inquiry to focus solely on student income support. The inquiry reported in June 2005, and recommended that Rent Assistance be extended to Austudy recipients, subject to Government costing. The Government is yet to respond to this recommendation.
