Free school public transport scheme extended

STRUGGLING families across the Far North will receive free public transport to and from school as part of more than $22 million in cost-of-living support from the Palaszczuk government. Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the funding would expand the Student Travel Assistance Scheme (STAS) which provided parents with financial support to transport their children to and from school. He said the program, administered by the Department of Transport and Main

Roads, was designed to help overcome barriers such as distance, income or isolation, that may prevent students from receiving an education.

“The Palaszczuk government understands many families are feeling the cost of living around kitchen table and we want to do what we can to help make thing easier,” Mr Bailey said.

“We’ve been offering this support to families in drought-affected and remote communities and the feedback is that it has really helped them.

“We’re now expanding the criteria, for shared care arrangements, so children that live between two homes can have their travel costs covered as well.

“Single parents do a remarkable job in what can be difficult circumstances raising children and we want them to know that we understand their struggles and want to help.”

About $18m will fund the expansion over the next three years with the Palaszczuk government committing a further $4.3m continue growing the l VINNIES’ SALE scheme. The cost-of-living relief is available to families that meet the eligibility criteria, this has also been expanded with children in shared care arrangements, living at two address also able to receive support.

Professor Ngiare Brown took part in the investiture ceremony on the lawns of the Eddie Koiki Mabo Library at Townsville’s Bebegu Yumba Campus, formally inducting her as the university’s sixth chancellor.

Households can apply for up to five children to be covered by the Student Travel Assistance Scheme which already supports more than 7600 students across the Cairns region.

Full eligibility and guidelines are available via TMR’s website: www.tmr.qld.gov.au

ENTHUSIAST op-shoppers are enjoying three days of retail therapy with the annual 50 per cent off sale across all Vinnies stores in Cairns that started on Thursday and will go until tomorrow. Until Saturday, June 3, Cairns residents can embark on an op-shop spree sponsored by Vinnies Queensland to raise funds for vulnerable residents doing it tough. The retail sale applies to everything except furniture. To find out more about the Vinnies’ sale, visit www.feelgoodfinds.com.au