MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday 28 April 2004

Budget Boost for Young Victorians

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria welcomes changes to the State’s concession system announced by the Premier today. Changes to the cost of the Tertiary Student Concession Card and the Education Maintenance Allowance are of particular interest to young people. Georgie Ferrari, Executive Officer, said ‘YACVic believes these changes will have a significant impact on young people’s access to public transport and public education’.

The Premier announced that the cost of the Tertiary Student Concession Card will be reduced from $87 to $8 to bring it into line with the cost of Primary and Secondary Student Concession Cards. This concession will be available to all full-time undergraduate university and TAFE students.

‘YACVic has advocated for this reduction since the Government made it a pre-election promise in 1999. It may have taken a few years to implement but it’s a very welcome step. Given recent increases to higher education fees and costs, the economic pressures on young people are reaching crisis point. A reduction in the cost of public transport will ease some of these pressures’ Ms Ferrari said.

‘The decision to make all Health Care Card Holders eligible for concession fares on public transport is also a positive step. This will provide young people on low incomes greater access to health, education, employment and recreation opportunities’.

YACVic also welcomes the over 60% increase to the Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) for primary and secondary students. The EMA payment for secondary school students will be increased from $254 per year to $400 per year.

‘This increase is well overdue as the EMA payment hasn’t changed since 1988. YACVic believes that this boost will assist families to better meet the costs of their children’s education and will allow more young people to access educational opportunities. The indexation of the EMA is particularly welcome as this will help families keep up with inflation’ Ms Ferrari said.

‘Last year’s budget was a fairly beige one for young people. This year is already looking more exciting and we look forward to more announcements over the coming days’.

The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria is the peak body and leading policy advocate for youth issues in Victoria. We have a membership of around 500 organisations and individuals.

For more information contact

Georgie Ferrari
Executive Officer
Youth Affairs Council of Victoria
Ph (03) 9612 8999 or 0411 484 428

Michelle Blanchard
Young Media Spokesperson