Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

Our office has been contacted by a number of distraught parents on grazing properties who, because of the drought, are struggling to pay for their children’s education at boarding schools on the coast.

Through Parliament in early February we questioned, in writing, what financial support can be made available to students whose families are affected by the drought in North West Queensland?

We asked how are families being supported for their children to continue to attend to their education at boarding schools where this is the only available learning option, and is costing isolated families in the vicinity of $27,000 to $30,000 per child per year?

This week Minister for Education Christopher Pyne replied: “The Department of Education provides no direct financial support to students whose families are affected by drought in North West Queensland”.

Again, the people who feed our nation are hung out to dry. It’s disgraceful.

Currently children who meet isolation criteria and are attending boarding school can receive up to $9133/year/student from Assistance for Isolated Children towards boarding costs. Assistance is also available for tuition fees from the Queensland Government’s Living Away from Home Allowances Scheme. If you would like information about these please contact our office on 1300 301 942.

Yours sincerely,
Bob Katter Federal Member for Kennedy