While it’s a big week for students, many parents are also under the pump as they are faced with the ever-increasing cost of getting their children ready for school.

New shoes, uniforms, backpacks, stationery – the list of things needed to ensure our children are able to be successful is a long and expensive one. 

In some cases it includes things that the schools used to provide themselves – like whiteboard markers.

While the cost of everything seems to go up, wages have not.

It’s why parents want their school to have enough money to educate their kids properly.

It matters everywhere, but particularly in regional Australia where the latest research shows there is an increasing gap between city schools and those in regional areas.

All Australian kids deserve a fair go, regardless of where they live.

That’s why a Shorten Labor Government will provide an extra $14 billion for public schools to deliver the biggest school investment in Australian history. The National Party – in fact all regional MPs and Senators should back this commitment. Maybe they could even match it.

If our kids are going to have a chance to have a good life with a decent job they need a good education and the money we spend on this is an investment in their future.

At the moment there is a real choice between the Labor plan and the Coalition – but it is not too late for them to come out and match it.

Stephen Jones

Shadow Minister for Regional Services