Razor Gang's Cuts A Blow For Parents Of Schoolchildren
Newcastle Herald
Wednesday November 12, 2008
HUNTER families say they have been hit with a double whammy.
The NSW mini-budget handed down yesterday revealed they would be slugged up to $180 a year for their children to ride a school bus, and the back-to-school allowance would also be axed.The Dyson family, who have three school-aged children, said the state's razor gang had cut back and added costs in all the wrong places."It's just another cost for us, a double cost really. They've taken something away and then made us pay for something we had had for nothing," Mathew Dyson said."We pay for school fees, we buy uniforms, now it's going to be another cost just to get them to school."With all three children using school buses, the Aberglasslyn family will have to pay the annual maximum fee of $180 to use public transport.They said the distance was too far for the children to walk and involved crossing the New England Highway.The State Government also drew criticism over its decision to abolish the yearly $50 school allowance, which the Dysons had used to pay for pencils, exercise books and backpacks.It had also contributed to shoes and school uniforms that could often cost the family of five up to $1000 each year."You have the normal uniform, then you need to get them a sports uniform and a tracksuit and jumper," Mr Dyson said.NSW Treasurer Eric Roozendaal acknowledged the changes would be tough on some families but said hardship provisions were available if needed."I acknowledge these measures will be painful for some. But these are reforms that have been left in the too-hard basket for too long, and we can no longer afford them," he said.Tell us what you think letters@theherald.com.au
© 2008 Newcastle Herald