Supporting families in North-East Adelaide

Managing back-to-school costs has been easier for families in north-east Adelaide this year thanks to the new Schoolkids Bonus cash payment, delivered by the Gillard Government.

Joining families at Ingle Farm Primary School today, the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, and Federal Member for Makin, Tony Zappia, 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.

“Paid when costs hit hardest – in January and July each year – 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. Already $598 million has hit the bank accounts of more than 1.2 million Australian families.”

Member for Makin, Tony Zappia, said nearly 9,000 families in Makin had received the Schoolkids Bonus payment in January, worth a total of about $4 million for local families.

“That’s about $4 million for local families to spend in local businesses like book shops, shoe shops, sports stores, department stores and stationery outlets. It is good for local families and good for local businesses,” Mr Zappia said.

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,” Ms Macklin said.

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

Mr Zappia said this is in addition to Mr Abbott’s plans to slash the Household Assistance Package, which includes additional increases to family payments and tax cuts for workers on low and middle incomes.

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.