Member for Lane Cove, Anthony Roberts MP said that families must not be hit by the State Labor Government’s planned cuts to the school transport scheme and Back to School Allowance.

Free school travel for almost 700,000 students across NSW will be axed in a huge blow for struggling families, with speculation parents will be forced to pay almost $400 a year to transport each child to and from school.[1]

The School Student Transport Scheme has been in place since 1968. The Rees Labor Government has also axed the $50 Back to School Allowance.

“Nathan Rees must ensure that his planned budget cuts to student travel and the Back to School Allowance do not impact negatively on parents and students in the Lane Cove electorate,” Mr Roberts said.

“Subsidising student transport has been in place since 1968 and been an accepted practice by State Governments from both sides of politics.

“Only this current State Labor Government, after 13 years of financial mismanagement, has found it necessary to take an axe to the scheme.

“Families who are already struggling to pay the bills, will be hit hardest if the State Government follows through with its plans to axe this vital service, as well as cutting the Back to School Allowance.

“The State Labor Government needs to hear the message from the Lane Cove community that cuts to education programs are just not on.”

“The Premier has placed the funding events such as the Mardi Gras and the V8 Super Cars and the search for the elusive panther in Western Sydney as a priority over the education needs of children across NSW.

“As we lead into Christmas families shouldn’t have to be worrying about the impacts of the State Labor Government’s cuts to education.

“Nathan Rees and Eric Roozendaal must quarantine the Lane Cove electorate from any cuts to the student transport scheme,” Mr Roberts said.

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