Giving youth “a fair go at success” has prompted a local councillor to campaign removing the parental income test for those seeking to obtain Youth Allowance.

Mount Gambier City Council elected member Councillor Max Bruins is seeking assistance from the Limestone Coast Local Government Association and a show of support from fellow regional councils.

Cr Bruins has submitted a motion regarding Youth Allowance Advocacy for Regional and Remote Students to be discussed at council’s monthly meeting tonight.

“I am seeking support in campaigning to get the parental income test removed under the alternative qualifying criteria in order to give our kids a fair go at success,” he said.

In his submission Cr Bruins highlighted some of the Youth Allowance qualification criteria.

“Students who are under the age of 22 who are not in a registered or de facto relationship and who do not have a dependent child are required to meet a workforce participation test in order to be considered ‘independent’ under existing Youth Allowance qualification criteria and not have their payments subject to an ongoing parental income test,” he said.

“To achieve this, they must work full-time, 30 hours per week, for at least 18 months within a period of two years.

“There is an alternative qualifying criteria for regional, rural and remote students which means they can be considered independent if they have earned at least 75% or more of the National Training Wage.”

Cr Bruins is requesting council send a letter to the Limestone Coast LGA, Human Services Minister Nat Cook, Education Minister Jason Clare, Senator Anthony Chisholm, Education and Regional Development Assistant Minister Senator Anthony Chisolm and Member for Barker Tony Pasin.

He is requesting that Youth Allowance advocacy work be put on the Limestone Coast LGA agenda for discussion at their next meeting.