CHRIS MINNS MUST LISTEN TO NSW FAMILIES AND RESTORE BACK TO SCHOOL VOUCHERS
25 january,2024
-Mark Speakman
Leader of the NSW Opposition
-Sarah Mitchell
Shadow Minister for Education and Early Education
-Jordan Lane
Member for Ryde
The NSW Opposition is calling on Premier Chris Minns to listen to families across NSW and restore Back to School vouchers.
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman and Shadow Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell joined Member for Ryde Jordan Lane today to hear from local families who have been impacted by Chris Minns’ decision to axe the Back to School vouchers.
“Families are struggling to make ends meet and what we’ve heard today, and repeatedly, is that these vouchers made a real difference for parents. Axing Back to School vouchers is impacting families here in Sydney and across NSW particularly hard at a time when they can least afford it,” Mr Speakman said.
“While households struggle with Labor’s cost of living crisis, the Minns Labor Government has axed Back to School vouchers, slashed Active Kids, Creative Kids and First Lap, and limited energy relief,” Mr Speakman said.
Ms Mitchell said that families relied upon the Back to School vouchers to help them buy school uniforms and supplies, and now thanks to Chris Minns and Labor that support for household budgets has been stripped away.
“In its first Budget, the Minns Labor Government axed the Liberals and Nationals Government’s Back to School vouchers, a cost of living assistance package that gave all parents $150 per child in vouchers to help with the costs of school supplies, uniforms and technology,” Ms Mitchell said.
“For Chris Minns not to know he axed these vouchers, and his Education Minister to call the program a “cash splash”, shows how arrogant and out of touch this Government is.”
Mr Lane said he had been inundated with calls from concerned parents who expressed their dismay over Chris Minns’ decision to axe the vouchers.
“It’s important that our political leaders actually listen to the concerns of families, which is why the Opposition is out meeting with parents to understand the impact of these harsh cuts,” Mr Lane said.
“Many families in my community are feeling the rising cost of living. The Minns Labor Government might think these vouchers were a ‘cash splash’, but they helped with the cost of sending kids to school at a time when costs are going up.”
“What we heard today is that many families are hundreds of dollars worse off and they deserve more support from this Government.”
As families pay the price for Labor’s Budget mismanagement, the Opposition will continue to fight for families and for more support to address the increasing cost of living.
