Mr MILLS - 2008-05-07
Today I announced that we would support Territory parents by expanding the Back to School Bonus from $50 to $75. Will you support this positive initiative to help Territory families?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. The Back to School Bonus, Labor government’s initiative, was very widely endorsed by parents right across the Territory, with the $50 voucher helping them to meet those initial set-up costs of getting kids started at the commencement of the school year. Coupled with the government’s initiative of wearing school uniforms, I believe the $50 bonus was very timely.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for picking up on the Labor government initiatives. In looking through it, I wonder how he would look at costing some of those commitments in his budget response, because what we saw today was recycled ideas from a recycled leader. A bit of a cut-and-paste policy approach to his budget response. The only way he could point out that he was going to actually provide any funding for these promises was to axe public service jobs.
Madam Speaker, this government is not about sacking public servants; we are about putting appropriate resources into our education system to support and improve education right across the Territory.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. The Back to School Bonus, Labor government’s initiative, was very widely endorsed by parents right across the Territory, with the $50 voucher helping them to meet those initial set-up costs of getting kids started at the commencement of the school year. Coupled with the government’s initiative of wearing school uniforms, I believe the $50 bonus was very timely.
I thank the Leader of the Opposition for picking up on the Labor government initiatives. In looking through it, I wonder how he would look at costing some of those commitments in his budget response, because what we saw today was recycled ideas from a recycled leader. A bit of a cut-and-paste policy approach to his budget response. The only way he could point out that he was going to actually provide any funding for these promises was to axe public service jobs.
Madam Speaker, this government is not about sacking public servants; we are about putting appropriate resources into our education system to support and improve education right across the Territory.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016