Call for higher rebate for Kangaroo Island students

Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie has made a plea to Federal Parliament to increase the rebate for Kangaroo Island students visiting Canberra.

Speaking in Parliament on Monday, the NXT MP said she had personally spoken to Federal Education Minister and South Australian Senator, Simon Birmingham, to ask him to increase the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) for islander students.

“This rebate provides between $20 and $260 per students to schools outside Canberra to subside this important educational trip to our nation’s capital," she said.

“Unfortunately the journey to Canberra is longer and more financially burdensome for some students in my large electorate compared with others.

“Under current arrangements, Kangaroo Island students only receive a $60 rebate - the same rebate as a student living in Adelaide – despite the fact they have no choice but to take a ferry trip to reach the main land.

“Tasmanian students receive an extra rebate for air and sea travel and I have spoken personally to Senator Birmingham to ask him to increase the rebate for islander students.

“I can only reassert my request to make this important educational experience more within the financial reach of his islander constituents.”

Since 2006 more than 19,000 schools have visited Canberra with the PACER program providing more than $46 million in rebates.

On November 10 the one millionth student visited Parliament House. She was Isabella Jenke from St Francis de Sales College in Mt Barker.