PM supports class-levelling uniforms

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has revealed she is in favour of mandatory school
uniforms, saying they give children a valuable sense of self and discipline.
Announcing that parents would receive a tax break on the cost of uniforms if Labor
wins the next federal election, Ms Gillard said standard school wear was a class
leveller.
"I believe having a school uniform gives people a sense of self, a sense of
discipline, a sense of how to present yourself to the world," she told reporters in
Canberra on Tuesday.
"I also think it undercuts some of those unhealthy things that can happen at schools
when there's a competition for the latest, most fashionable items."
Ms Gillard promised to expand the Education Tax Refund, which already helps cover
the cost of textbooks, computers and stationery, to also include uniforms.
If Labor retains power, parents will be able to claim up to 50 per cent of the cost
of uniforms under the scheme.
The maximum educational rebate is currently $390 a year for each primary school-aged
child, or $779 for each high school student.
However, only uniforms bought during the next financial year can be claimed on tax,
with the first of the refunds to be paid in 2012/2013.
Ms Gillard said this was because it took time to put the new measures in place, and
the 2010/11 year had already started.
The incentive is expected to cost $220 million over four years and benefit about 1.3
million households.
"This is a measure to help ease the costs of getting kids to schools for families,"
the prime minister said.
Ms Gillard fondly recalled her own days in uniform.
"I joked yesterday that I think I still have at the back of the wardrobe the
prefect's tie that I proudly wore at Unley High School (in Adelaide)," she said.
Parents and guardians entitled to Family Tax Benefit Part A are eligible for the
refund, as are those whose children receive another payment, such as Youth
Allowance, the Disability Support Pension or Abstudy Living Allowance.