Tuesday, 4 February 2025

 Ryan BATCHELOR (Southern Metropolitan) (14:00): (1316) As thousands of kids head back to school across Southern Metropolitan Melbourne, my question to the Minister for Education is: how is the Allan Labor government supporting families with back-to-school costs? The school saving bonus, an initiative of the Allan Labor government, is providing a $400 payment to eligible Victorian families to help cover the costs of education essentials: things like uniforms, textbooks, school supplies, camps, excursions – all part of the costs that families face. The $400 school saving bonus provided by the Allan Labor government is helping all families with students in government schools and those with eligible students in non-government schools with financial support right now to help with these costs. We know that millions of dollars have already flowed to support families right across Victoria, including in the Southern Metropolitan Region. We know some families are struggling with the cost of living. The Allan Labor government is here to help.