Student assistance payments
49. Mr Stephen Pratt to the Minister for Education:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's election commitment to deliver cost-of-living relief through a second Western Australia student assistance payment.
(1) Can the minister update the house on the delivery of this second round of student assistance payments?
(2) Can the minister update the house on the uptake of the payment in the 24 hours since its launch?
Ms Sabine Winton replied:
(1)–(2) I thank the member for the question and for his strong advocacy on delivering support for WA families. We know that is exactly what the WA student assistance payment is doing.
Our government recognises that Western Australians are struggling with the cost-of-living pressures brought on by the global inflation crisis. That is why, at the recent state election, our Cook Labor government committed to provide another round of our successful WA student assistance payment. I am proud to say that we have not wasted a single day since we were elected on 8 March in getting this support into the pockets of Western Australian families with school-age children. Applications for the second round of payments opened yesterday and claims can be made right up until the last day of term 2 on 4 July. Payments of $150 for kindy and primary school students, and, of course, $250 for those with secondary students are available to all Western Australian families.
It was really wonderful to visit Rivervale Primary School in the member for Belmont's electorate yesterday with the Premier to meet families as they dropped off their kids for what was, of course, the first day back at school. We have heard from parents how this cost-of-living relief will help them get what they need for their kids, whether it is things like uniforms, books, a pair of shoes or equipment for extracurricular activities. Just yesterday we heard how Chris, a parent whose daughter attends Rivervale Primary School, will use the payment to help buy new uniforms and cover the cost of art classes for his daughter. Earlier this month, when I visited Warwick Senior High School with the member for Kingsley, we heard from a mother, Yolanda, who said that the payment was a huge help in buying sport uniforms for her growing children.
The ServiceWA app is the fastest way to claim the WA student assistance payment. The first payments are expected to reach families tomorrow. Alternatively, people can claim by visiting the Department of Education website or requesting a paper form from their school.
The member asked about the uptake of the payment. I am proud to let members know today that as of 11:00 this morning, over 65,000 claims have been made in a 24-hour period—of course, it will be more children, because some of those claims have been made by people who have more than one child. That is over $22 million of claims so far, with over $13 million claimed for high school students and over $9 million for kindy and primary school students. I am confident that those numbers will keep growing by the hour.
This is a really important election commitment that we are delivering on for the people of Western Australia to support them with important cost-of-living relief that supports their children in getting the best outcomes at school.
Visitors
The Speaker: Just before I give you the call, member for Geraldton, I would like to welcome the former member for Mandurah, who has snuck in at the back—David Templeman, ex-Leader of the House. Welcome back. It is lovely to see you.
