Labor would give every public high school and college student in the ACT a tablet device if re-elected, a pledge that would cost government $17.2 million over four years.
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The election sweetener is to be formally announced by Labor at its official campaign launch at the National Portrait Gallery on Saturday, which is expected to be boosted by the presence of federal Deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek.
The conference may face some small disruption, with greyhound trainers and club members planning to protest against the ACT government's intention to end the industry.
The tablets would be progressively rolled out across Canberra's public high schools and colleges under lease arrangements, which would see the devices periodically upgraded.
They will be issued progressively to each new year 7 and year 11 student from 2018, meaning all high school and college students are expected to have one in the next four years.
That would see 6000 Canberra students given a tablet in the program's first year.
There is a total of 16,619 total students in public high schools and colleges, according to the last census of ACT public schools.
Tablets or laptops are already all but essential in some Canberra schools, which use Google classroom software, and adopt a "bring your own device" policy along with government-provided high-speed filtered wireless internet.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr said that high-speed internet formed the backbone for the free device policy.
"The capability is there, and it's already been invested in. So this builds upon an existing infrastructure investment, which was a big part of our technology," Mr Barr said.
He rejected the description of the policy as a vote buyer.
Labor education spokeswoman Yvette Berry said the policy would help alleviate financial strain on many Canberra families.
"It's common sense any parent whose first child is starting high school, this is just one thing to relieve pressure on the family, the financial pressure on the family as well," she said.
"You don't have to be an expert, you've got it already there for you, you don't have to find out what's the best price, or the best value."
The policy has been welcomed by the ACT Council of Parents & Citizens Associations, who said it would be welcomed by families and would address problems with the bring-your-own-device policy.
Council secretary Cecilia Shlegel said it would improve equality of education, and give "the same learning opportunity for different students across Canberra".
"I think a lot of parents will be relieved because many just can't manage that ... and it's not just the financial relief that's important," she said.
"We're getting a lot of frustration and concern from parents about the piecemeal implementation of the bring-your-own-device policies, and the lack of consistency of advice on which devices to purchase for students."
Labor plans to make other education announcements at its conference on Saturday.
It has already announced an $85 million upgrade of Canberra's public schools if re-elected in October, and another $15 million in grants to private schools to improve infrastructure.
The Liberals slammed Labor for its record on education following that announcement.
Shadow Minister for Education Steve Doszpot said Labor had closed schools and left many with decaying infrastructure and capacity issues, and had not delivered on a promised $70 million in infrastructure upgrades.
That was rejected by Ms Berry, who said the government had invested $70.5 million in classroom upgrades, and other infrastructure.
