Tony Abbott last week confirmed his plans to take the Schoolkids Bonus away from families – leaving 14,100 families in Bankstown worse off.
Federal Member for Blaxland, Jason Clare MP said families in Bankstown have begun to receive the Gillard Government’s new Schoolkids Bonus this month, helping them with back to school expenses.
“More than 14,100 families have already received the January payment,” Mr Clare said.
“Those families will be worse off under Tony Abbott.
“A typical family with two kids will be $15,000 worse off over the course of their children’s schooling if Mr Abbott gets elected.
“This is in addition to his plans to slash the household assistance package, which includes additional increases to family payments and tax cuts for workers on low and middle incomes,” Mr Clare said.
The January instalment of the Schoolkids Bonus is worth $205 for each child in primary school 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.
“It’s clear Tony Abbott and the Liberals don’t support Australian families. Local families can’t trust Tony Abbott,” Mr Clare said.
Media contact: Chris Zogopoulos 9790 2466
