People in Armidale and Tamworth have until next Monday to make a submission to the Senate inquiry into youth allowance changes.

The Nationals Duty Senator for New England John Williams says the inquiry has been established after the Greens and Independent Nick Xenophon sided with Labor to prevent a Private Senators Bill lodged by Nationals Senator Fiona Nash from proceeding.

The Nationals want inner regional areas that include Armidale and Tamworth exempt from the severe eligibility criteria set by Labor and which is denying students in those areas the chance to qualify for independent youth allowance.

"The Coalition had negotiated concessions from Labor which allowed students from outer regional areas such as Inverell, Gunnedah and Glen Innes to qualify under the old criteria but made it clear at that time it was far from perfect.

However the Labor Government is refusing to listen to the concerns of students, parents and teachers. It can waste money on mismanaged projects but baulks at the prospect of

assisting regional students to undertake a tertiary education.

The Senate inquiry will take submissions until this Monday the 6^th of December, and a public hearing will be held in Canberra on the 17^th of December.", Senator Williams said.

The link to the inquiry is This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or write to the Committee Secretary of the Senate Standing Committee on Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, PO Box 6100, Parliament House, ACT 2600.