‘Relief’: Pleas to save $100 kids’ voucher

Pleas have been made for NSW Premier Chris Minns to extend a $100 voucher program that could be axed after June 30.

Despite an election promise to extend the program, Mr Minns was unable to confirm whether his government would continue with the Active Kids program.

The policy allows NSW families to access a $100 voucher per child to use at registered sport and activity providers, with about $481m redeemed since January.

Opposition Leader Mark Speakman called on the government to extend the program. He said it was crucial for the government to continue the program to support families during a cost-of-living crisis.

“The government has invited the possibility that this will be cancelled. This is a fundamental program for kids’ health and wellbeing and for family budgets,” he said.

“We call on government to roll this out. This is an incredibly popular program with over $480m of vouchers redeemed as at the start of the year.”

Overseeing a local football and netball club, West Ryde Rovers president Karen Waud said the vouchers had increased the number of children playing sport.

“A lot of children wouldn’t be able to play if it (wasn’t for) the vouchers,” she said.

“We honestly believe this is a great initiative … and we’d like to see families get that relief from the voucher.”

Mr Minns said the continuation of the program would now be a funding issue. He said the former government had only funded the program up until June 30.

“We’re having a line-by-line audit of the budget to ensure that taxpayers are getting value for money and that we can have a sustainable program going forward,” he said.

“We‘ll have more to say in relation to that program and the government spending priorities in the coming weeks.”