THE recent State Budget announced a $400 bonus that will be automatically applied to every Victorian Government school student, yet critics have criticised the bonus as it is strictly means tested for students attending low-fee Catholic and independent schools.
This means that while every high-income family with a child attending a government school will receive this bonus, many low-income families attending non-government schools will miss out.
The Victorian Liberal Party have launched a campaign calling for more equitable access to the School Saving Bonus.
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.
Member for Northern Victoria, Wendy Lovell, said, “If the Allan Labor Government wants to offer cost-of-living assistance to families, they should do so in an equitable way.
“With commonsense changes, this bonus could provide better value for taxpayers and greater cost-of-living relief for those most in need.”
Lovell said residents across are encouraged to show their support for a more equitable School Saving Bonus by visiting http://fairschoolbonus.com.au/
