PM Transcripts

STATEMENT BY ACTING PRJME MINISTER
THE HON TIM FISCHER MP
LABOR: AS OUT OF TOUCH AS EVER
By opposing the Youth Allowance, Kim Beazley is sending a very clear message to the
people of Australia. Labor would rather have young people on the dole than
improving themselves in study or training.
By its reaction to the Government's reform of payments to young people, Mr Beazley
and the Labor Party has once again demonstrated how desperately out of touch it Is
with mainstream Australia.
The Youth Allowance addresses the Government's highest priority providing young
people with jobs by changing the incentives to make it more attractive for young
people to study and train than just be on the dole.
M~ r Beazley obviously prefers a situation where young people are encouraged to be on
the dole rather than acquiring skills for employment.
All the usual scaremongering and bluster can't hide the facts that:
Everyone on Newstart Allowance or sickness benefit at the time of the
announcement will not have their payment affected;
The new means test ( around $ 4 1,000) is more generous than Labor's was ( around
$ 37,000 for a family with one child at homne), and
Rural and regional Australians will also benefit by up to $ 75 per fortnight from the
extension of rent assistance to young people who are studying or in training
All young Australians win from having the incentive to prepare themselves for the job
market. Students and young Australians undertaking vocational education, along with rural and
regional families will also be better off.
M~ r Beazley and Labor's reaction show they have nothing to offer young job-seekers.
In this regard they remain consistent with their failed record in Government.
18 June 1997
For Further Details Contact David Kelly 277 7420
David Gazard 277 7744