South Australia: Labor Targets School Fees, Liberals Focus on Ocean Litter

Labor has announced a commitment to abolish public school fees for primary and high school students in South Australia from 2027, if elected. Currently, annual materials and services charges stand at $382 for primary students and $723 for secondary students.

Labor leader Peter Malinauskas stated that this initiative would save approximately 90,000 families an average of over $8,000 per child across their schooling.

"The goal is to ensure high-quality education for all young South Australians, regardless of their location or economic circumstances, and providing cost-of-living relief to families."

The policy builds upon an existing $200 per child rebate. The total estimated cost to taxpayers is $300 million over the next four years. Malinauskas indicated that the state possesses the fiscal capacity for this investment due to a growing economy. He also noted a $4.5 billion, 10-year commitment to private schools, suggesting they have the capacity to decide on fee relief.

Education Minister Blair Boyer addressed concerns about a potential increase in public school enrollments. He explained that a Better and Fairer Schools Agreement with the Federal Government in 2025 ensures that funding grows with student numbers, supporting the state government's ability to offer fee relief.

Liberal Leader Ashton Hurn did not explicitly endorse or reject the policy, stating that "the devil is always in the detail." She questioned the timing of the announcement, noting that cost-of-living pressures have been significant for three years. While welcoming efforts to reduce public school fees, she highlighted other pressures on family budgets.

Liberal Party Pledges $4.3 Million for Ocean Litter Prevention

Separately, the Liberal Party made a $4.3 million election commitment to address litter in South Australia's oceans. Liberal Leader Ashton Hurn outlined a target to achieve zero litter on the coast by 2035.

The initiative aims to prevent the equivalent of 3,000 wheelie bins of litter from reaching the coastline annually.

Shadow Environment Minister David Basham explained that the policy would involve an audit to identify weaknesses in stormwater drain networks across Adelaide. The plan includes collaborating with local councils to invest in necessary upgrades in areas where litter outflow is observed. Basham described the 2035 target as ambitious but essential.