Media Releases 2010

16 March 2010

Universities Australia applauds income support action for students

Universities Australia today applauded the Australian parliament for reaching agreement on supporting the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Income Support for Students) Bill.

“Australia’s Universities have been calling for the Government, the Greens, the Independents and the Coalition to reach an accord on the details of this legislation to break the Senate impasse and deliver much needed support for Australian university students,” said Professor Peter Coaldrake, Chair of Universities Australia.

“Australian students will be better off once this legislation has passed through parliament and Universities Australia recognises the hard work undertaken, and dialogue that has been entered into, by all the parties and the independent Senator Nick Xenophon,” Professor Coaldrake said.

“It is in the nation’s interest to have more school leavers entering university, particularly those from lower socio-economic, rural and regional areas. The new income support measures will end the uncertainty and make provision for more students from the least advantaged backgrounds to be able to attend university because they will be better supported financially,” Professor Coaldrake said.

“Now that this agreement has been reached we look forward to the speedy passage of this Bill through the Senate so that students who have commenced their studies in the last few weeks can access this support,” Professor Coaldrake said.

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