This petition has been created to benefit young people between the ages of 16 and 17 yrs old who are not studying or employed not receiving youth allowance. The youths within this age group are dependant on their parents/guardians whom receive Family Tax Benefit Payments from Centrelink and receive a Health Care or Pension concession card with the youths name displayed on it.
The fact that our youth between the ages of 16 and 17 years old cannot obtain a travel concession card unless an Education Department has endorsed and signed their proof of enrolment on the travel concession form application required by the Victorian State Transport Authority to issue a student concession card .
The youth in this criteria do not receive Centrelink payments and are financially dependant on their Parent/s or Guardian/s receiving Centrelink Benefits purposely to support them until the youths turn 18 the legal age of Adulthood.
At the present the Victorian State transport Authority/Commission does not include this type of concession to young 16 & 17 year olds who are in limbo with their lives and unsure of their pathways whether it be to further studies and training or seeking employment.
The parents/guardians Centrelink Health Care or Pension card is accepted when purchasing ticket fares at concession prices. However is not accepted or validated when a youth produces and shows this card to Ticket Inspectors. Due to this card not been validated or recognised a hefty fine on the youths is usually incurred for Fare Evasion or not having valid concession card. The repercussions of incurring such a fine end up burdening the parent/s Guardian/s on low incomes causing more financial stresses.
If you agree and think that The public Transport System should validate and include this concession card for youths between the ages of 16 and 17 years of age solely dependant on their parents or guardians sign this petition to The Victorian Transport Authority and Commission.
We believe and strongly feel that our youths should not be paying Adult prices to travel on public Transport because they are, dependants and there details are displayed on their Parents/Guardians Centrelink Health Care or Pension card.
Also these youths do not own a student concession card issued by the Victoria PublicTransport Authority /Commission and can not be issued with one because of them being in Limbo.
