Julia Gillard sought reprieve from the East Timor Solution hullabaloo yesterday by retreating back to the classroom with an announcement that the government will offer families financial support by covering part of the cost of school uniforms.

In her first proper election pledge Gillard promised to expand the government’s education tax refund, which currently covers expenses such as textbooks and computers. During yesterday’s announcement the PM also advocated compulsory uniforms but said individual schools should have the right to choose their own uniform policy.

Some of her speech sounded a little…elementary.

”I believe part of a high-quality education is learning how to present yourself to the world and that is what a school uniform is all about,” she said. “Having a school uniform gives people a sense of self, a sense of discipline.”

Crikey’s Bernard Keane was not wooed by the PM’s fondness for regimented garb.

Keane wrote yesterday:

What excitement there was this morning when Julia Gillard called a press conference. Climate policy, maybe? An election announcement even? We were rather crestfallen to find out it was about school uniforms.

It was the sort of announcement that would in normal circumstances be made by Gillard’s replacement as Education Minister, Simon Crean, or Jenny Macklin, who presides over the welfare system. But there was the prime minister announcing the education rebate available to recipients of Family Tax Benefit A would be extended to cover half the cost of school uniforms.

What to make of Gillard’s school uniform rebate and how will it measure up? Here’s what the rest of the assembly thought:

The Australian

Joe Kelly: Julia Gillard backs mandatory school uniforms as helping give kids sense of discipline

Unveiling a tax break covering the cost of school uniforms for struggling families, the Prime Minister said uniforms helped encourage “discipline” and a “sense of self”.

However her first election promise means thousands of families that send their children to schools that do not require uniforms will be excluded from the government subsidy.

Uniform tax break for battling families

Thousands of families with children in schools that do not insist on uniforms will be excluded from Julia Gillard’s new subsidy.

The Prime Minister yesterday voiced support for mandatory school uniforms, saying they helped remove unhealthy competition among children to dress more fashionably.

The Australian Financial Review

Geoff Kitney: Hawke-eyed leader stamps her brand (paywalled)

There was something more important going on yesterday than a minor policy announcement.

Now just in her 20th pay in the job – and insisting that she feels comfortable in it – Gillard is in the process of re-branding the Labor government from the Rudd model to the Gillard model.

Sydney Morning Herald

Phillip Coorey: Tax deduction for uniforms to promote discipline

Unveiling an election promise yesterday to make uniform costs tax deductible, the Prime Minister said it was up to individual schools to decide uniform policy but, personally, she supported making uniforms mandatory.

The Herald Sun

Phillip Hudson: PM Julia Gillard weighs into debate over school uniforms

Julia Gillard has kick-started a debate about school uniforms, saying they prevent fashion envy in the playground and give children discipline.

But the Prime Minister stopped short of saying uniforms should be compulsory, saying that decision should be made by school communities.

The Courier Mail

Stefanie Balogh: Julia Gillard promises rebates for school uniforms

The Prime Minister is racheting up the pressure on the Opposition as she prepares to call the election, saying she understands many families are doing it tough.