Bills

Education and Children's Services (Sports Vouchers) Amendment Bill

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 10 April 2024.)

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (21:50): I am going to cut straight to the chase, rather than go through all the details, as it is getting late. I think we all understand that it is a pretty simple proposition that has been put forward by the Hon. Ms Bonaros and the Liberal Party is attracted to it. There is a certain logic in extending the current arrangement to include year 9s to—

The Hon. R.A. Simms: Why aren't you speaking on any of my bills, Dennis?

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD: This is my portfolio responsibility, you see. The Liberal Party is attracted to extending it right through the schooling years. There is a certain logic to it, and really I suspect it is only the budgetary reason that it has been cut off at year 9. For that reason, we are happy to support the progress of the bill at this stage, but I would say we are supporting it through this house, at this time, subject to further detail, because, as the Hon. Ms Bonaros is probably aware, we have been trying to work out some numbers between our offices in order to cost this policy.

That is the important part of it all and it is pretty hard to get a landing on it, to be honest. We need to be convinced about the value. The dollars are there and we need to budget for it when we include those in our costings as we approach the election. We are going to support the passage of the bill through this chamber. We will then look at it closely between the houses and consider our final position, but I would say that we are genuinely attracted to it. There is a certain logic to it.

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (21:52): I did take myself off the list, but, given the numbers are now at play, I just thought I would indicate my support for this bill so that you are assisted in your counting.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (21:52): I am also drawn to the bill. It makes a lot of sense.

The Hon. J.S. LEE (21:52): I rise today to support the Education and Children's Services (Sports Vouchers) Amendment Bill 2024. This bill strengthens a program that has delivered real benefits to South Australian families for over a decade. It guarantees continuity and expansion of the Sports Voucher scheme, increasing the minimum voucher amount to $200 and extending eligibility to all school years.

I acknowledge that, during the Marshall Liberal government, the first major increase was introduced, doubling the voucher from $50 to $100, and extending eligibility to year 9. That was an important step forward and today we have the opportunity to build on that success. This amendment comes at a critical time. Families are facing significant cost-of-living pressures and sporting fees are often the first thing to go when budgets tighten. By legislating this program and increasing support, we help parents keep their children active and engaged in healthy pursuits. Sport provides much more than physical activity; it is a bridge between communities.

For many multicultural communities and families, sport provides a sense of belonging, connection and the opportunity for personal development and team building. It fosters social inclusion and helps children develop confidence, respect and friendship across cultural lines. The program is not just about football or netball. We have seen strong growth in vouchers being used for dance classes, swimming lessons and Scouts, activities that build life skills and resilience. For example, a family with two children can currently claim $400 of vouchers each year, which often makes the difference between enrolling in a dance program or missing out entirely.

This is a proven success story. In just 10 years there have been more than 850,000 vouchers redeemed, providing more than $75 million to help kids participate in sports and recreation. Already this year the program has funded around $17 million worth of activities and more than 170,000 vouchers have already been used. These numbers show the demand and the impact.

This bill ensures that every child, regardless of background or financial circumstances, can access those benefits. With those remarks, I strongly support the bill.

The Hon. C. BONAROS (21:55): Can I thank wholeheartedly the Hon. Mr Dennis Hood, Hon. Mr Simms, the Hon. Ms Franks, the Hon. Ms Lee and—did anyone speak from the government?

The ACTING PRESIDENT (The Hon. R.B. Martin): No.

The Hon. C. BONAROS: And myself, and I will tell you why: because just like the mobile phone bans bill that I introduced in this place and just like the period products bill that I introduced in this place I know this is a good bill. I know this is a good bill, because the government has already—already—adopted elements of this bill and implemented them in its policy.

It was front and centre of their budget announcements and splashed all over their budget papers after I introduced this bill into the parliament. So I know it is a fantastic bill. The government adopted those elements that increased the vouchers, and I acknowledge that the opposition previously did increase the vouchers, while they were in government, from $50 to $100. So they increased the vouchers, and they broadened the scope of the activities and the ability of those vouchers to be used across more than one sport or activity—all elements in this bill adopted by this government and announced in its big shiny budget.

So why am I insisting on this bill, you might ask? Because beyond those glossy brochures that were front and centre of the government's budget announcements they failed to implement the one critical measure, namely the availability of the voucher scheme beyond year 9 and through to year 12.

The Hon. Dennis Hood has asked a couple of very valid questions. Since its inception more than 697,000 vouchers have been claimed, providing $58.85 million to South Australian families to put towards eligible activities. In the most recent figures available on the dashboard, 175,772 vouchers worth $17 million and $440,000-odd were claimed by South Australian families. So why on earth the government would potentially not support a bill that increases that to year 12 and ensure that this scheme outlives successive governments is a little bit beyond me.

The government says it is committed to getting our young people off their screens. A year 10 student is generally about 15 years old. Next year, they will be banned from social media, but they also will not be supported to play sport or play music or dance or learn to swim if their families are reliant on these vouchers. That is why this component of the bill that remains outstanding is critically important, and that is why I am pushing ahead with this bill.

I know that the Premier loves nothing more than a vote winner, and I can tell you it is an issue as simple as this that saw the influx of correspondence, emails and phone calls to our office saying, 'This is great. This is good for our kids, and we need the flexibility across the scheme, but please make sure it goes beyond year 9, because I can't afford to enrol my kid in swimming or soccer or football or cricket or any of the other activities that the scheme covers beyond year 9.'

In terms of investment, the return that we get from this policy, which is a policy that both major parties have (a) introduced and (b) supported in terms of widening its scope, is good law. It is good law and we do not want to see it wound back. Indeed, we want it extended beyond year 9 to ensure that all kids, right up until the day they finish their high school education, have access to the sorts of activities that keep them off their screens, off their mobile phones, away from the TV, and in the community taking part in physical health or whatever the case may be. It is about social connection, emotional wellbeing and building resilience amongst our kids. It is for that reason that I am insisting on this bill, and I remain hopeful that the government will vote in support of it.

Bill read a second time.

Committee Stage

In committee.

Clause 1.

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD: I have one brief question at clause 1, which I do not expect the honourable member to answer right now, but really our only concern about this bill is the cost for the next three years, obviously. I appreciate the figures the Hon. Ms Bonaros was able to convey to us. Our figures marry up; we are on the same page there. The question is: what does it cost to go for years 9, 10, 11, and potentially 13 as well, given that some students these days do year 12 split over two years? That is our key concern. If we are able to be satisfied with that, then we will be happy to support this bill but, as I said, we are happy to support it between the houses subject to more information and then our final position will be subject to that.

The Hon. C. BONAROS: The Hon. Mr Hood just raised a valid point, one that does need addressing and one that only the government can address in terms of its modelling. What I would say, hand on heart, is that the cost of this most certainly is outweighed by the benefit that it provides to families and the community. I hope that between the houses that sort of information can become available so we can actually cost it. That is an important factor, but I think overwhelmingly, given why we support these sorts of proposals and based on the popularity that we have seen in the community, the benefit far outweighs any cost to our budget.

Clause passed.

Remaining clauses (2 to 3) and title passed.

Bill reported without amendment.

Third Reading

The Hon. C. BONAROS (22:03): I move:

That this bill be now read a third time.

Bill read a third time and passed.