Werriwa families benefiting from Schoolkids Bonus

Thousands of families in Werriwa are benefitting from the second instalment of Federal Labor’s Schoolkids Bonus, which is providing welcome relief with back-to-school costs.

The Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Jenny Macklin joined Member for Werriwa Laurie Ferguson and local families in Minto today to explain how the Labor Government is helping local parents to get their kids through school.

Ms Macklin said the Schoolkids Bonus payments had started hitting the bank accounts of more than 12,000 families in Werriwa, in time for parents to purchase back-to-school items for Term 3.

“The Schoolkids Bonus helps lighten the load for local families,” Ms Macklin said.

“Eligible families are receiving $205 for each child in primary school, and $410 for each child in high school.

“This money helps parents buy uniforms, shoes, school books and stationery, as well as other costs like school excursions, music lessons and sports registration fees.”

Mr Ferguson said this is the second instalment this year for local families, with the first instalment arriving before school started in January. In total, local families will receive more than $12.4 million in Schoolkids Bonus payments this year – $410 for each primary school child and $820 for each high school student.

“That’s $12.4 million that is being spent 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 Ferguson said.

Tony Abbott and the Liberals voted against the Schoolkids Bonus in Parliament, and if Mr Abbott is elected Prime Minister, local families will lose this extra money.

Axing the Schoolkids Bonus will mean a typical family with two kids will be $15,000 worse off over the course of their children’s schooling.

“I know a lot of families are feeling the pinch right now, and they rely on this extra support to make sure their kids have everything they need for school,” Ms Macklin said.

“As the school holidays come to an end and parents start getting the kids ready to go back to school, they will know how helpful the Schoolkids Bonus is for them.

“If Tony Abbott becomes Prime Minister, this Schoolkids Bonus payment will be their last.

“Tony Abbott will axe the Schoolkids Bonus and hurt local families.”

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

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