November 16, 2015
Member for Maranoa Bruce Scott says his campaigning for changes to the Youth Allowance scheme has paid off for young people living in rural areas.
“Means testing arrangements for Youth Allowance will be axed from January 1 next year so family farm assets will no longer be counted towards the means test,” Mr Scott said.
“This is great news for rural students as these changes will make youth payments fairer and simpler.
“Removing the assets test will allow thousands more students to qualify for an average annual youth payment of more than $7000 a year.”
Mr Scott said he had fought for a long time for changes to the Youth Allowance, believing it had been unfairly weighted against regional students.
“Young people from the rural or regional areas are already disadvantaged by the tyranny of distance. They must move from home, away from their family and set themselves up in a new city; buy furniture, textbooks and start paying rent,” he said.
“These changes will positively affect many families in my electorate who are running cash-poor and asset-rich enterprises, as a result of the ongoing drought. This will help level the playing field and give every child the opportunity to access higher education, regardless of their postcode.
“Thousands more students will benefit from the means test removal and they will either receive Youth Allowance for the first time or – if they’re already receiving it – receive $2000 more each year.”
