More than 6,100 local families with kids in school will benefit from a new cash bonus delivered by the Gillard Government, Federal Member for Maribyrnong, Bill Shorten, said today.

“I know that with kids in school, it can be tough for parents in Maribyrnong to keep up,” Mr Shorten said.

“That’s why the Gillard Government is delivering a new Schoolkids Bonus to help local families make ends meet.”

Eligible local families will receive a total of $410 a year for each child in primary school, and $820 a year for each child in high school.

The Schoolkids Bonus will be paid in two instalments – before the start of Term 1 and Term 3 – to help pay for school costs such as uniforms, text books, stationery and school excursions.

It will replace the Education Tax Refund from 1 January 2013, and will be paid to the families of about 10,750local kids in school.

Mr Shorten said many local families couldn’t afford to wait until tax time to claim the Education Tax Refund.

“Some local families simply couldn’t wait months to get money back, and were missing out on the full amount they were entitled to,” Mr Shorten said.

“This new payment means about 4,600 local families will get more cash.

“And about 1,000 families in Maribrynong didn’t claim the ETR at all last year – so they’ll get an extra $410 a year for each child in primary school and $820 for each high school student.

“The Schoolkids Bonus means parents will get extra support when they need it most. They will no longer have to pay first and then wait months to claim a refund at tax time.”

To help with the transition to the Schoolkids Bonus next year, the Federal Government will next month pay all eligible families in Maribyrnong the full amount of the Education Tax Refund.

“Local kids have just gone back to school for Term Two, and the costs for parents have already started piling up again,” Mr Shorten said.

“By paying out the full refund next month, many families will receive an immediate boost to their budgets and won’t have to worry about that extra paperwork at tax time.”

The Schoolkids Bonus will be available to local families receiving Family Tax Benefit Part A plus young people in school receiving Youth Allowance, as well as some income support and veterans’ payments recipients.

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 Suburbs in the Maribyrnong electorate include: Aberfeldie, Airport West, Albion, Avondale Heights, Brooklyn (part), Essendon, Essendon North, Essendon West, Kealba, Keilor East, Keilor Park, Maribyrnong (part), Moonee Ponds, Niddrie, St Albans (part), Sunshine, Sunshine North and Tullamarine (part).

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