Supporting families in Casula

Managing back-to-school costs has been a bit easier for families in Western Sydney this year thanks to the new Schoolkids Bonus cash payment, delivered by the Gillard Labor Government.

Joining families at Casula Public School today, the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin and local Federal Member for Werriwa, Laurie Ferguson explained how the Gillard Government is supporting them with back-to-school costs.

“We understand the challenges modern families face, that’s why we’ve delivered the Schoolkids Bonus to help lighten the load of back-to-school costs,” Ms Macklin said.

“It’s paid when costs hit hardest at the start of Term 1 and 3. Families will receive a total of $820 for high school students and $410 for primary school kids each year.

“It is paid in two instalments – in January and July each year. Already $598 million has hit the bank accounts of more than 1.2 million Australian families this year.”

Local member Laurie Ferguson said nearly 12,000 families in Werriwa had received the Schoolkids Bonus payment in January, worth a total of more than $6.3 million.

“That’s $6.3 million for local families to spend in local businesses like book shops, shoe shops, sports stores, department stores and stationery outlets,” Mr Ferguson said.

“And there’s another Schoolkids Bonus payment to come in July.”

Families receiving Family Tax Benefit Part A, young people in school receiving Youth Allowance, and others receiving certain income support or veterans’ payments are eligible for the Schoolkids Bonus.

Ms Macklin said the Gillard Government’s Schoolkids Bonus is a big help for local families.

“A family with two children will receive $15,000 in Schoolkids Bonus payments over the course of their kids’ schooling.

“However, Tony Abbott and the Liberals will scrap the Schoolkids Bonus – leaving a family with two kids $15,000 worse off,” Ms Macklin said.

Mr Ferguson said Mr Abbott also plans to slash the household assistance package, which includes additional increases to family payments and tax cuts for workers on low and middle incomes.

“It’s clear Tony Abbott and the Liberals don’t support Australian families,” Mr Ferguson said.

For the latest information about the Schoolkids Bonus and other family assistance measures, visit www.australia.gov.au/schoolkidsbonus or ‘like’ the Australian Families Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FamiliesInAustralia.

Families should contact Centrelink if they have not received the payment and think they might be entitled to it.