THE Liberal Nationals Coalition has promised to help south-west families get back in control of cost of living pressures if elected by paying for school textbooks for secondary students at government schools.
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Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell said the plan would save some families with two secondary students around $1000 a year.
“Victorian families are doing it tough with cost of living pressures, especially families with school children. As a mother of four, I know how tough it can be when school is going back and the bills keep rolling in,” Mrs Britnell said.
“Families can do it a little tougher after Christmas and at the start of the school year with all the added expenses. The Free School Books for Students program will ease the financial squeeze for parents of secondary students at government schools.”
Mrs Britnell said before the last election Daniel Andrews promised “no new taxes” but since then, with the help of independents in the upper house, she claimed he had introduced or increased 12 taxes.
She said Victorians’ taxes have gone up by 35 per cent since he was elected.
“This is about real savings for families, helping them get back in control of the family budget and helping them to provide their kids with the best education,” she said.
“Over the course of secondary school, families stand to benefit up to $2856 or on average around $476 per year. Real savings for families.”
An elected Liberal Nationals Government will commence planning for the Free School Books for Students program in the first 100 days, to commence at the start of the following academic year.
The program will be phased in over two years by year level starting in 2020 with stage one for students in years 7-9 and stage two for students in years 10-12.
Mrs Britnell said the policy would not be capped on the number of students per family or was it means tested.