Senator MARGETTS(10.05 p.m.) —There is obviously some logic in this amendment if you follow the fact that this morning there was a vote related to what I call compulsory families. It made sure that students cannot get independent allowances until they are 25. I was pleased to see the pressure put on by various members of the Senate, including the Greens and the Democrats. It helped to get some change in the government's legislation. It was very unclear until this morning that that change had occurred to make sure that it did not go up to the age of 31, which was the original decision.

As a result of these compulsory families, we are left with very few alternatives but to support measures such as these, which give some recognition of the cost to families who may have to support an adult student up to the age of 25 who has no means of getting independent Austudy. It is very regrettable that we need to support such an amendment. A fairer go for students would have been much better from the government. It is a pity that this morning's vote was not supported by the majority of the Senate.