Concessions won by the Coalition will allow the impasse over the youth allowance legislation to be resolved today, according to The Nationals Senator for New South Wales John Williams.

Senator Williams said Education Minister Julia Gillard has buckled on the question of retrospectivity, clearing the way for students to access the independent rate of youth allowance.

“The Government had demanded students work for a minimum 30 hours a week for 18 months over two years, but we steadfastly opposed that, and as a result we have been able to ensure students in outer regional, remote and very remote areas remain under the old criteria of 15 hours a week over two years or by earning $19,532 over 18 months.

Scholarships will also be available immediately with the Start-Up Scholarship reduced to $1,300 this year, and $2,128 in 2011 and subsequent years.

This result is far from perfect because many students who we believe should be able to access independent youth allowance under the old rules will have to find a job for 30 hours a week.

The Government has stalled on this matter since May last year.

The Nationals have led the fight on this issue, holding the Rudd Government to account for its ridiculous changes to the youth allowance criteria and we are glad that students and their parents have certainty back in their lives”, Senator Williams said.

**Note to media – students from the following towns, villages and locations in New England will qualify under the old criteria of 15 hours a week or $19,532 over 18 months.

 Ashford, Attunga, Barraba, Bendemeer, Bingara, Bundarra, Deepwater, Delungra, Emmaville, Gilgai, Glen Innes, Gunnedah (comes into New England at next election), Guyra, Inverell, Manilla, Nundle, Quirindi, Tenterfield, Tingha, Urbenville, Walcha.