Fed: Latham backs reading push with $80 million book program

AAP General News (Australia)
02-01-2004
Fed: Latham backs reading push with $80 million book program

Children will be given free books under a new Labor plan to improve literacy and to
encourage parents to read to their kids.

Opposition Leader MARK LATHAM has backed his push to encourage parents to read to their
children with an $80 million promise to give children's books to the parents of every
new baby.

The four-year program, called Read Aloud Australia, will also offer extra support for
adult literacy, so parents can have the skills to read to their children.

The promise came on the final day of the ALP national conference in Sydney.

Mr LATHAM, in his final media conference at the ALP conference, also revealed he's
looking at the possibility of selling Kirribilli House -- the official prime ministerial
residence in Sydney.

AAP RTV jg/jv/de/jas/wz k

KEYWORD: LABOR (SYDNEY)

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