Joe Hockey yesterday released draft legislation to repeal the Schoolkids Bonus, leaving more than 9,500 local families worse off when it comes to meeting the education expenses of their children.
Federal Member for Ballarat, Catherine King said over 17,500 local students in primary and secondary school and their families would otherwise be eligible for assistance.
“This mean spirited cut by Joe Hockey will hurt local families,” Ms King said.
“Parents work hard to meet the costs of their children’s education, ensuring they can get the best education possible. However, items such as school uniforms, shoes, textbooks, camps and excursions are expensive.
“The Schoolkids Bonus helps families lighten the load with a payment of $410 a year for each child in primary school, and $820 a year for each child in secondary school.
“Scrapping the Schoolkids Bonus means the average Australian family with two kids will be $1,230 worse off every year and $15,000 worse off over the life of their child’s education.”
Low income families in Ballarat have already felt the pinch from the Victorian Liberals when they scrapped the School Start Bonus.
“The Liberals mantra of cuts, cuts, cuts is alive and well. Joe Hockey has not wasted any time by following in the footsteps of his state counterparts,” Ms King said.
If this legislation is not successful, the next payment will be due in January 2014.