Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders has today called on Chris Minns and Labor to reinstate funding for the $100 Active Kids vouchers.
The vouchers, which provide $100 for parents, guardians and carers of school-enrolled children to use towards sport and recreation costs each year, are currently subject to Labor’s Comprehensive Expenditure Review’, and are facing the axe.
Mr Saunders said the vouchers had significantly increased participation in sport across the Dubbo electorate, with more than 47,000 vouchers used in the region since 2018.
“I’ve seen first-hand the difference these vouchers have made, particularly as the cost of living has increased,” Mr Saunders said.
“This program is the biggest grassroots sport funding initiative in Australia, and has driven huge increases in participation in all sports – it is worthy of funding.
“Sport plays such an important role in social cohesion in rural and regional communities, and is an essential part of regional life.”
Dubbo Saints Netball Club Treasurer Michelle Calverley said 80 per cent of registrations with the club used Active Kids vouchers.
“If we don’t have active kids vouchers, lots of families won’t be able to afford to register their children for sport – especially when they have more than one child participating.”
Mr Saunders called on the Labor government to save the Active Kids vouchers to make sure regional kids can access opportunities in sport.
“What Labor must understand is that regional areas have a higher cost of living than the city,” Mr Saunders said.
“I’m calling on Chris Minns and Labor to save Active Kids, because if this program is cut, what’s next?”
Show your support for Active Kids vouchers by signing the petition – go to: www.saveactivekids.com.au