Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson is calling on the Labor Government to immediately provide certainty to local families by committing to the Active Kids voucher program.

The vouchers, which provide local parents with $100 contribution towards the cost of sport and recreation activities, have been hugely popular in the Tamworth Electorate.

Mr Anderson said walking away from the program would affect the regions most disadvantaged families the worst, at a time when cost of living crisis further tightens its grip on the family purse strings.

“I know how important it is to keep our kids active and engaged in one of their favourite pastimes, getting them off the couch and promoting a healthy lifestyle,” Mr Anderson said.

“We know that children are much better off when they get active and play sport. Now is not the time to rip that opportunity away from them.

“The Labor Government committed to extending the voucher program during the election campaign and already they’re looking to backflip on one of the issues most concerning our region’s families – the cost of living.

“When families in our region are telling me they’re struggling to keep up with the cost of mortgage repayments, the cost of groceries, and the cost of fuel, I can’t believe the Labor Government think now is a good time to burden them with another $100 per child, per year.

“I’ve already heard from local families who are telling me they won’t be able to afford the cost of registration which would be devastating for the health of our kids, and for the volunteers who keep our sporting organisations alive.

“I’m calling on the Labor Government to immediately provide certainty to local families by committing to the program, just as they promised they would a month ago.”