Loading ...FOLLOWING an outcry from private schools around the state, the State Government has backed down on its proposed means testing of a bus subsidy, designed to save $21.6 million annually.
At the end of October, Minister for Education, Martin Dixon announced the conveyance allowance, which subsidises private school transport by up to $1153 per student, would be means tested from next year affecting Portland families who send their children to Hamilton.
Monivae College principal Mark McGinnity thanked federal and state members for lobbying the change.
“This is really the best news possible and I’m really impressed the government has responded so well and we have to thank the Nationals and Liberals who have played a part in overturning what was, really, an ill-considered proposal,” Mr McGinnity said.
Mr McGinnity previously told the Portland Observer the introduction of means testing could affect the enrolment of 60 students that attend the school from Portland.
Read more in Monday’s Portland Observer.
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