Tuesday, 14 May 2024

Ministers statements: school saving bonus

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:08): Our government continues to be firmly focused on supporting families – families particularly – as families around the country are experiencing ongoing cost-of-living pressures, and we know this. We know particularly for parents of school-age children that there can be from time to time additional challenges for particularly those things like school uniforms and school camps and excursions. Those latter areas are particularly part of what makes school fun, but at times these costs can add up for families.

That is why in addition to the significant support we provide to families in our schools – the Smile Squad, breakfast programs, Glasses for Kids, we have a long list of areas where we provide support to families in our schooling system – we were delighted last week to add to that with the $400 school saving bonus. This will be provided to 700,000 students across the state. All students in our government schools and the most needy students in our non-government schools as well will receive this really practical support for families. Again, whether it is for school uniforms, camps, excursions, incursions or sports programs, all of these things will be supported through our school saving bonus. We will be rolling out this advice to families and schools from term 3 so that the payments can flow from term 4 so parents can start planning now. As we are starting the enrolment process for next year, parents can start planning now for the start of the 2025 school year with the school saving bonus. Those opposite cut Fresh Fruit Friday. They cut the education maintenance allowance. They cut vital supports to families in our schools. We are going to support them.