The Western Australian Council of Social Service (WACOSS) has praised today’s WA Labor cost of living election commitment as a major win for struggling Western Australian families.
WA Labor has today announced that, if re-elected in the upcoming state election, it will provide $37 million to expand the School Breakfast Program to more schools across WA, and will boost the delivery of the service from two days to five days a week.
Another $10 million has been committed to building the capacity of WA’s public school canteens in order to provide greater access to healthy and affordable lunches for students.
In addition, WA families will receive student assistance payments of $250 for every secondary school student and $150 for primary and kindergarten students in Term 2 of this year.
WACOSS also welcomes the WA Liberal Party’s announcement today, committing to building an additional 10 Child and Parent Centres if elected in the upcoming state election, which was also one of our election asks in our Make WA Fair Campaign.
WACOSS Chief Executive Officer Louise Giolitto said:
“We know WA families are struggling to afford the many essentials for children as they prepare to start the school year. The cost of new uniforms and school supplies will no doubt stretch the already worn household budgets to the brink.
“The announcement of an expansion to the School Breakfast Program is a huge win for WA families as it will relieve the pressure on the budget while ensuring that kids can go to school with access to free and healthy meals, ready to learn.
“The WA student assistance payments will also greatly assist families and we will work with the State Government, if re-elected, to ensure as many families as possible, especially those doing it toughest, are equipped to receive this payment.
“We have been calling for an expansion of the School Breakfast Program as part of our targeted cost of living election campaign, and it is extremely pleasing to see the State Government listening to the sector.
“Today’s announcement is a direct, targeted cost of living measure that will help those in our community doing it toughest.”
Find out more about our Make WA Fair Campaign here.