An attempt to bring on debate on a Private Senators Bill seeking to address anomalies in the independent youth allowance has been scuttled by the Greens and Independent Nick Xenophon siding with Labor.

The Nationals Senator for New South Wales John Williams says his colleague Senator Fiona Nash who is Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Education moved a motion to suspend standing orders to allow debate on the Social Security Amendment (Income Support for Regional Students) Bill 2010.

The bill calls for the inclusion of inner regional areas such as Tamworth and Armidale in the independent youth allowance criteria from the 1^st of January next year, joining students living in outer regional, remote and very remote areas.

Senator Williams said the Nationals wanted the debate before parliament rises for the year in the hope that students in the inner regional areas could have a gap year and go to University knowing they are eligible for independent youth allowance.

But the Greens and Senator Xenophon walked away from regional students and voted with the Government to deny them.

“This is a disgrace from people who purport to care about regional Australia. They have shown what they truly think.

The Greens would rather debate same sex marriage or euthanasia rather than the future education and opportunities for our young people. They are shallow and have been exposed as such.

I wonder how the young people in inner regional areas of South Australia feel now that Senator Xenophon has voted against them.

The Nationals will continue the fight for young Australians wanting a decent opportunity to undertake tertiary education”, Senator Williams said.