MOTIONS regarding prominent rural issues will be put on the table during this year’s Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association conference hosted in Bourke NSW.
The two day conference kicks off on Wednesday, March 29 and issues on the agenda would come at no surprise to residents of the bush.
ICPA president Kate Treweeke said telecommunications was high on the priority list for discussion- with too many areas across the state still experiencing complete black spots.
Gaining recognition for the necessity of functioning telecommunications in the bush, especially for those who rely on distant education has been an ongoing fight for the ICPA and Mrs Treweeke said the conference was a good channel to keep the issue on the table.
“We’ve had many motions regarding this from areas across the state wanting these issues and concerns looked at,” she said.
Youth and travel allowance reforms will also be high on the conference agenda with members motioning that the current eligibility criteria is unrealistic
Mrs Treweeke sad again, this issue has been on ICPA’s agenda for years and members have motioned to have the time period for which young adults have to work to gain financial independence reduced from 18 months down to 14.
With the current time limit, Mrs Treweeke said young adults usually have to defer their university degrees for two years to become eligible for youth allowance.
The earnings they’re required to make have also been questioned- as often, young adults from the bush take their gap year at home, requiring their parents to pay them hefty salaries to gain eligibility.
Things like funding for agricultural schools and education, early childhood funding and general distance education matters will also be high on the agenda during the conference.
Mrs Treweeke said the conference is looking to be a great success, with 50 members attending from 16 different branches, as well as about 100 guests.
