LESS than a week after a Federal Election was called for September, a local MP fears it would be detrimental to students and their families if the Liberal Government is elected.
But a State Government Liberal MP has hit back at her claims and said the Liberal Government would get the Australian economy “back on track” if elected this year.
La Trobe MP Laura Smyth said almost 50,000 students would be worse-off if the Liberal Government was elected and the School Kids Bonus was scrapped. Ms Smyth said Tony Abbotts plan to slash the Schoolkids Bonus was irresponsible.
The January instalment of the Schoolkids Bonus is worth $205 for each child in primary schools and $410 for each high school student. Families will receive another payment in July- bringing the total Schoolkids Bonus to $410 and $820 a year.
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.
Narre Warren parent Kristianna Davis said the bonus had helped with extra costs such as textbooks for her two children.
Another parent, Sorina Grass, has one children studying at secondary school this year and said the bonus, paid in two instalments for back-to-school costs, was an excellent idea.
Ms Smyth said she heard from parents that the Schoolkids Bonus had been valuable in helping them with back-to-school costs.
“ It is a cruel fact that a young family with two kids stands to be $15,000 worse off over the course of their children’s schooling if Mr Abbott gets elected,” she said.
“This is on top of his plans to cut the household assistance package, which includes additional increases to family payments and tax cuts for workers on low and middle incomes.
“I call on local Liberals to say clearly whether they support this, or whether they are really prepared to stand up for local families when Tony Abbott gets it so wrong.”
Gembrook MP Brad Battin said the Australian economy would benefit if the the Liberal Government was elected in the Federal election..
“The Federal Labor Government have proven over the years they can not manage money – this is a common thread of Labor Governments across the country,” Mr Battin said.
“I trust Tony Abbot will be a great Prime Minister if elected and will have a lot of work to get our economy on track.”
