The Nationals have launched a Fair School Bonus campaign to highlight regional Victorians being blatantly ignored by Labor.
Too many families have been unfairly excluded in the Allan Labor Government’s inequitable School Saving Bonus and it’s time all were given a fair go.
The $400 bonus, introduced in the State Budget, is automatically granted to all Victorian government school students, but is rigorously restricted for students in low-fee Catholic and independent schools.
Regional families should not miss out based solely on their choice of school, yet many will be ignored amid the cost-of-living crisis.
Nationals Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland is urging regional Victorians to back our new campaign by visiting vicn.at/schoolsavingbonus.
“If the Allan Labor Government wants to offer cost-of-living assistance to families, they should do so in an equitable way,” Ms Cleeland said.
“The Allan Labor Government’s $400 School Saving Bonus is blatantly inequitable, and its unfairness really hits home for regional Victorians.
“To put it bluntly, high-income families with children in government schools are set to receive this bonus with no questions asked.
“Meanwhile, families in regional areas who choose to send their children to non-government, low-fee schools are being cut out.
“There’s a clear divide. Why should hard-working families be penalised for the choice of their school?
“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.
“The Allan Labor Government must rethink this decision if they genuinely care and intend to support regional Victorians.
“Labor can’t manage money and regional Victorians are paying the price.”
