Name schools that would miss out

AUSTRALIA – Public school teachers have demanded Opposition Leader, Malcolm Turnbull name the four out of five schools that would miss out under his inadequate response to the government’s stimulus package.

Mr Turnbull’s plan would see an 80 per cent reduction in education funding for urgent maintenance and upgraded facilities, compared to the government’s commitment of $14.7 billion.

Australian Education Union (AEU) federal president, Angelo Gavrielatos said it was unbelievable that Mr Turnbull would question whether schools were the most urgent infrastructure deficiency in Australia.

“If Mr Turnbull is serious about denying Australian schools $11.7 billion in infrastructure funding, then I ask him to name who misses out?

“To suggest that $3 billion over three years would be adequate is a slap in the face of every Australian community,” Mr Gavrielatos said.

“There is a public school in every community and the Rudd government’s plan would protect jobs and secure investment in every Australian community.

“Over the past decade, the Liberal Party has continued its unrelenting attack and neglect of public schools.

“Now in Opposition, Mr Turnbull is prepared to deny 80 per cent of Australian schools essential funding for urgent infrastructure upgrades that are long overdue.

“Investing in our public schools is the most important infrastructure investment a government can make.

“It would provide the opportunity for our schools to engage in urgent upgrades and to develop modern learning environments, which will improve education outcomes for our students,” Mr Gavrielatos said.