The NSW Opposition is calling for Premier Chris Minns to help families struggling under Labor's cost of living crisis by continuing the former Liberal and Nationals Government's Back to School voucher program.
"In his first Budget, Chris Minns axed the former Government's Back to School vouchers, a cost of living assistance package that gave all parents $150 in vouchers per child to help with the costs of school supplies, uniforms and technology," Leader of the NSW Opposition Mark Speakman said.
"As parents and students prepare for a new school year, the pain of this decision is being felt right across our State. People are rightly asking what Chris Minns and his Government are doing to help address the rising cost of living."
"The Back to School vouchers, along with slashing Active Kids, Creative Kids and First Lap vouchers, are casualties of Chris Minns' broken promise that his union wage deals would be Budget-neutral and funded through productivity gains."
"Chris Minns' union pay deal will cost the NSW taxpayer $9.5 billion over the coming four years; this could pay for the Back to School voucher program almost 50 times over."
Shadow Minister for Education and Early Education Sarah Mitchell said Chris Minns and his Education Minister were out of touch with the needs of families.
"As families struggle to cover schooling costs, Chris Minns' Education Minister described this important program as a 'cash splash' – how arrogant and out of touch can you get? It's time for NSW Labor to prioritise hard working families," Ms Mitchell said.
"It's estimated that the annual cost of school supplies for a primary school student is now more than $650. These vouchers didn't cover all the costs, but they did make a meaningful difference for families."
"Parents shouldn't have to choose between a new pair of shoes, textbooks or electronic devices, but this is the reality many families across NSW face."
