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Fed: Thousands of students set to miss out on payment: Greens


08 Feb 2009 1:35 PM

CANBERRA, Feb 8 AAP - Thousands of students will miss out on the government's one-off payment if the $42 billion stimulus package is not amended, the Australian Greens say.

Students on Youth Allowance, Austudy or Abstudy will receive the $950 payment if they were enrolled by February 3.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young says many students are not yet enrolled.

"The deadline is unrealistic and guaranteed to exclude many full-time students," Senator Hanson-Young said.

The Greens want the deadline extended. They also want an increase in base pension rates, greater support for unemployed and renewable energy options for all households.

The government needs the support of the five Greens senators, a Family First senator and an independent to have its stimulus package approved by parliament against coalition opposition.

AAP sld/rl/jm