The Victorian Liberals and Nationals have launched a new campaign to call for more equitable access to the Victorian Government's School Saving Bonus.
The $400 bonus announced as part of the recent State Budget will be automatically applied to every single Victorian Government school student, yet strictly means tested for students attending low-fee Catholic and independent schools.
This means that whilst every high-income family with a child attending a government school will receive this bonus - including Victorian Government Ministers - many low-income families attending non-government schools will miss out entirely.
At some low-fee Catholic schools, more than 50 per cent of students come from disadvantaged families, yet under current arrangements, only a small percentage of students will be eligible for the School Saving Bonus.
Victorians are encouraged to show their support for a more equitable School Saving Bonus by visiting:http://fairschoolbonus.com.au/
Shadow Minister for Early Childhood and Education, Jess Wilson, said: "If the Allan Labor Government wants to offer cost-of-living assistance to families, they should do so in an equitable way.
"Labor cannot manage money and it is simply unfair the current School Saving Bonus excludes tens of thousands of low-income families on the basis of where they choose to educate their child.
"With commonsense changes, this bonus could provide better value for taxpayers and greater cost-of-living relief for those most in need."
