Sunday, June 05, 2005

students turn to sex trade

A senate inquiry into student poverty, this week heard reports that students are turning to the prostitution and becoming guinea pigs for medical experiments, in order to survive on low incomes.

Senator Natasha Stott Despoja said, "it is totally unacceptable for any young Australian to be forced to resort to these desperate measures in order to secure a tertiary education."

"It is absurd that the Government continues to refuse to pay Rent Assistance to students on Austudy driving them further into poverty and forcing many to give up study altogether.

"The Australian Council of Social Services' submission to the Senate inquiry stated that in 1998, over 60 percent of income support recipients were in poverty compared to only 20 percent in 1972-3.

The Inquiry heard from the National Welfare Rights Centre that as a result of the Budget, parents and people with disabilities will find it even more difficult to study from July 2006 because they will no longer be eligible for the $62.40 a fortnight Pensioner Education Scheme, and will receive a lower rate of payment.

$140 less per fortnight would be closer to the mark, disability pensioners could be losing as much as $155 per fortnight if they wish to study, after July 2006.

The inquiry is due to report on June 16.