Peter Dutton has quietly committed to stripping away 'prac payment's' to student nurses, midwives, social workers and teachers who must finish their studies by doing practical work, often for no pay and in locations where they must move temporarily to, sometimes far from home.
The Coalition's costings, released yesterday, reveal if elected they will cut $556 million in 'Commonwealth Prac Payments' – stripping away cost-of-living support for those studying to become teachers, nurses, midwives and social workers over the next four years.
"If Peter Dutton wants to take money out of the pockets of trainee nurses, midwives, social workers and teachers they should look them in the eyes and say it, not hide it in an eleventh hour document that's been dumped to reporters within 48 hours off the poll," said Dr Alison Barnes, National Tertiary Education Union, National President.
"These students have just completed three or four years of full-time study, in areas of real need for our community and economy.
When undertaking pracs they aren't able to earn a living wage, and these prac payments give them a stipend to cover their accommodations and food costs.
"This is just the latest example of where Peter Dutton is targeting students and our universities and TAFEs. Now, however, he has silently committed to taking money out of students' back pockets."
