My question is to the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, Senator Evans. I refer to the minister’s letter of 16 November to the President of the Senate requesting that the President intervene to ensure that my private senator’s bill regarding the independent youth allowance criteria and the requirement for all regional students to be treated fairly not be debated. Indeed, the minister said to the President:

I would be grateful for your assistance … so that steps may be taken to ensure the Bill does not proceed.’

Is this not a clear case of the minister trying to deny justice to rural and regional students?