❓ Ms. D'Anna asks about the Cook Labor government's KidSport expansion and its impact on children's sports participation and support for families. The Minister responds by highlighting increased funding, program reach, and a successful regional pools trial, sharing a testimonial about its positive impact.
AnsweredQoN 605Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
COST-OF-LIVING — RELIEF — KIDSPORT
605. Ms D.G. D'ANNA to the Minister for Sport and
Recreation:
I
refer to the Cook Labor government's commitment to delivering
cost-of-living relief for Western Australian families .
(1) Can the
minister outline to the house how this government's expansion of
KidSport is allowing children across the state to better engage in sports
activities?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house how KidSport is providing support to families who
need it the most?
605. Ms D.G. D'ANNA to the Minister for Sport and
Recreation:
I
refer to the Cook Labor government's commitment to delivering
cost-of-living relief for Western Australian families .
(1) Can the
minister outline to the house how this government's expansion of
KidSport is allowing children across the state to better engage in sports
activities?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house how KidSport is providing support to families who
need it the most?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I
thank the member for Kimberley for her advocacy and for making sure that
children and young people in her community are accessing sport. I thank the
member for that. The member and many others do everything possible. As the
member knows, this government has continued to ensure that those who face
impediments to accessing sport, particularly those who come from families with
financial constraints and difficulties, are supported through the KidSport
program. This government increased the KidSport payments from $150 to $300 and
then again from $300 to $500. We are now seeing the huge benefit of that play
out across the state. A large number of children have accessed the program
since 2011, but now even more are accessing it, particularly under this
government. In the member's electorate, for example, we funded over 50
clubs through KidSport vouchers across 10 different sports. The figures
continue to show a great take-up. I want all members to be on the lookout and
talking to schools to identify kids from families who perhaps are not playing
sport but are eligible for the KidSport program and therefore should be
accessing it so they can get into sport. Members can also talk to sporting
clubs and organisations and make sure they are aware of the opportunities to
increase the number of people participating in their clubs, particularly those
supported through the KidSport program.
I also highlight that we have added
to the regional pools eligibility program. Members may be aware of this. They
will be very pleased to know that the trial of the program late last year,
which I am so proud of, was successful. The use of KidSport vouchers for family
passes or general passes to pools in regional areas has been expanded to the
Kimberley and the Pilbara in time for the increased heat that is experienced in those localities. Some 13 more regional pools
will be added to that program. I thank the local governments that have
partnered with us to deliver that program.
What is the benefit of this program?
I find that it is always better to use someone else's words, not mine.
I will quote from someone who has agreed to allow me to share this feedback on
the KidSport program regional pools trial. I think it is from a mum. She says —
''Good morning,
I just wanted to share some feedback
on the Regional Pools Pilot Program.
We
have six kids, are a low single income family due to the caring needs of
several children with special needs. Most of our finances go towards our
children's extra needs.
We've been aware for some
time that there is a high risk to our kids not being able to swim adequately,
but it's been difficult for us to access pools. We looked at the start
of summer at the cost just for season passes
for our family, and we were looking at $690. In addition to the fuel costs associated with getting into town, it wasn't an option for us. But it
continued to be a major stress.
After finding out about the program —
The KidSport regional pools program,
as I said —
at
the local library, our passes were ready within a day and we had our first swim
last night at the pool. The kids are
so excited, and we're just really relieved to have an option to access
swimming .
This will make a significant impact
on our family's safety and health, and we are so appreciative.
I must say that this final comment is
true —
Yesterday my daughter announced as we
entered the pool, I love the government.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please!
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : But in
all seriousness, this is an example of another measure in the cost-of-living
realm that is delivering and is
life-changing for that family. They are now going to the pool and those kids
will be able to swim during the hot
part of the season. We are heading towards the summer season. That is making a real
difference to that family's budget and particularly to the kids'
participation at the pool. I thank the local governments that have been
involved in the trial and those in the department who have been administering
the KidSport program. It is a great program and another example of the Cook
government's focus on supporting families that need it.
The SPEAKER : That concludes
question time.
thank the member for Kimberley for her advocacy and for making sure that
children and young people in her community are accessing sport. I thank the
member for that. The member and many others do everything possible. As the
member knows, this government has continued to ensure that those who face
impediments to accessing sport, particularly those who come from families with
financial constraints and difficulties, are supported through the KidSport
program. This government increased the KidSport payments from $150 to $300 and
then again from $300 to $500. We are now seeing the huge benefit of that play
out across the state. A large number of children have accessed the program
since 2011, but now even more are accessing it, particularly under this
government. In the member's electorate, for example, we funded over 50
clubs through KidSport vouchers across 10 different sports. The figures
continue to show a great take-up. I want all members to be on the lookout and
talking to schools to identify kids from families who perhaps are not playing
sport but are eligible for the KidSport program and therefore should be
accessing it so they can get into sport. Members can also talk to sporting
clubs and organisations and make sure they are aware of the opportunities to
increase the number of people participating in their clubs, particularly those
supported through the KidSport program.
I also highlight that we have added
to the regional pools eligibility program. Members may be aware of this. They
will be very pleased to know that the trial of the program late last year,
which I am so proud of, was successful. The use of KidSport vouchers for family
passes or general passes to pools in regional areas has been expanded to the
Kimberley and the Pilbara in time for the increased heat that is experienced in those localities. Some 13 more regional pools
will be added to that program. I thank the local governments that have
partnered with us to deliver that program.
What is the benefit of this program?
I find that it is always better to use someone else's words, not mine.
I will quote from someone who has agreed to allow me to share this feedback on
the KidSport program regional pools trial. I think it is from a mum. She says —
''Good morning,
I just wanted to share some feedback
on the Regional Pools Pilot Program.
We
have six kids, are a low single income family due to the caring needs of
several children with special needs. Most of our finances go towards our
children's extra needs.
We've been aware for some
time that there is a high risk to our kids not being able to swim adequately,
but it's been difficult for us to access pools. We looked at the start
of summer at the cost just for season passes
for our family, and we were looking at $690. In addition to the fuel costs associated with getting into town, it wasn't an option for us. But it
continued to be a major stress.
After finding out about the program —
The KidSport regional pools program,
as I said —
at
the local library, our passes were ready within a day and we had our first swim
last night at the pool. The kids are
so excited, and we're just really relieved to have an option to access
swimming .
This will make a significant impact
on our family's safety and health, and we are so appreciative.
I must say that this final comment is
true —
Yesterday my daughter announced as we
entered the pool, I love the government.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please!
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN : But in
all seriousness, this is an example of another measure in the cost-of-living
realm that is delivering and is
life-changing for that family. They are now going to the pool and those kids
will be able to swim during the hot
part of the season. We are heading towards the summer season. That is making a real
difference to that family's budget and particularly to the kids'
participation at the pool. I thank the local governments that have been
involved in the trial and those in the department who have been administering
the KidSport program. It is a great program and another example of the Cook
government's focus on supporting families that need it.
The SPEAKER : That concludes
question time.
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