Howard takes $280 a month from studying sole-parents

Pensioner Education Supplement, an education allowance for sole-parents which is $62 per fortnight for full time students, will be axed as of July 2006.

At that time sole parents will also be put on a Newstart Allowance which at a reduction of $77 per fortnight, makes a total reduction in pay for sole parent families, of $140 per fortnight.

Democrats Higher Education Spokesperson Senator Natasha Stott Despoja, addressed the hearing of the Senate Inquiry into Student Income Support about how the budget fails to address essential issues.

'This Budget has produced more obstacles to studying, instead of tackling the current ones,' Senator Stott Despoja said.

The changes will not only create enormous hardship for parents who are tyring to alter their circumstances but limit their chances of employment to unqualified low-waged menial work.

The Democrats said in a release that the hearing had no Government representation. 'I hope this is not a sign of the Government's attitude to the inquiry.'

'The Federal Government, arrogantly anticipating control of both Houses in July, is increasingly thumbing its nose at those giving voice to the disadvantaged and vulnerable,' Senator Stott Despoja said.