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Ingram Welcomes Support For Rural Youth Inquiry RecommendationsThe Independent Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, has welcomed government support for a parliamentary committee’s recommendations into retaining young people in rural towns and communities. By Craig Ingram - 8th May 2007 - Back to News The Rural and Regional Services and Development Committee (RRSDC), which Craig Ingram was the deputy chair, comprised Labor, Liberal and National Party members and the report received many submissions and evidence from Gippsland residents.
"The government’s response to the RRSDC report has just been posted on the Victorian Parliament’s website and the government has endorsed the majority of the 56 recommendations," Mr Ingram said.
"The committee’s detailed report highlighted some of the disadvantage and challenges facing young people living in rural and regional Victoria, including the increased cost of studying away from home; the lack of public transport; and the benefits of ensuring viable business services and training opportunities in regional areas.
"Some of the recommendations that the government has supported have been the improvement of public transport; greater use of community transport options; the use of HECS reimbursement schemes; and the increase of funds for technical education programs.
"One of the important issues raised was addressing the disadvantage of increased costs associated with country students living away from home when undertaking tertiary education and university study. The government has acknowledged that this is an issue and has committed to taking the matter up.
"Another recommendation of the report was the increased use of ‘on track data’ to ensure that students are not lost from the system if they do satisfactorily adapt to tertiary education or work placements.
"I look forward to ensuring that the State Government lives up to its commitment on the issues contained in the report and to country Victoria," Mr Ingram concluded.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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