The supposed Independent Members for New England and Lyne today sat with Labor to vote down an attempt to change the youth allowance legislation to make it fairer for all regional students.

The legislation proposed by the Nationals Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Education Senator Fiona Nash had passed the Senate two weeks ago, but the Government claimed it was unconstitutional as Appropriation Bills could not originate in the Senate.

The Coalition needed cross bench support in the lower house to debate the Social Security Amendment (Income Support for Regional Students) Bill 2010 but both the Member for New England Tony Windsor and the Member for Lyne Rob Oakeshott stayed firmly in the Government’s clutches.

Senator Nash said Mr. Oakeshott appeared confused as to how to vote, as he originally seconded a Greens amendment that the bill proceed when Parliament has agreed to a method to finance the measures, but when the pressure was applied by the Prime Minister he voted against it!

“Today has proven once and for all the Independents do not have any concern for the young people of Taree, Port Macquarie, Tamworth and Armidale which remain in the Inner regional areas.

We wanted to give them surety today that the work test criteria would be altered to make it easier for them to qualify for independent youth allowance, not bank on a hollow promise by Labor to review it down the track.

The Nationals Senator for New South Wales John Williams said the Independents have fallen for a Labor sweetener, but have left those students who took a gap year in 2010 without hope.

“Even if Labor does make changes after its review, it is too late for those Inner Regional students who left school in 2009 and had a gap year last year as they are now still required to work an average 30 hours a week for 18 months in a two year period.

Other regional students only have to defer for one year and earn a lump sum in that time of around $20,000”.

Senators Nash and Williams said educators, parents and students should be knocking on the Independents door demanding an explanation.

They don’t have a valid one.