Disadvantaged schools miss out due to bureaucratic
13 Aug 2009
Media release The Shadow Minister for Education, Christopher Pyne and Pat Farmer the Member for Macarthur expressed their concerns today about the failure of the Rudd Government to deliver for disadvantaged schools including Claymore Public School in Mr Farmer's electorate.
"Julia Gillard promised a revolution in Education. She particularly stressed that she would champion disadvantage. She has been in office for 22 months but attempted today to blame the previous Government for the state and federal bureaucratic bumbling that has seen several extremely disadvantaged schools in NSW and Queensland miss out on National Partnerships funding," said Mr Pyne.
"Where does the buck stop with this Minister? Once again we have an enormous education program costing more than $1.5 billion designed to assist the nation's most needy schools failing to deliver.
"We can add it to a growing list - the Computers in Schools program, the Trades Training centres program, and now the Building the Education Revolution program, under investigation by the Auditor General," said Mr Pyne.
"I'm disappointed that the $1.5 billion that was promised to disadvantaged schools has not gone to those who need it most," said the Hon Pat Farmer MP, Federal Member for Macarthur.
"There is no disputing that schools in Western Sydney are some of the most disadvantaged. Yet these schools seem to have been overlooked for this funding. This highlights the Governments financial mismanagement and the staff and students are going to pay the price," he said.
"Kevin Rudd also promised that every child would have a laptop computer, but we're all still waiting to see that.
"Can there be any doubt that Minister Gillard has too much on her plate to deliver on the detail. If she cannot manage this portfolio then she should get out of it and simply concentrate on her Prime Ministerial aspirations," Mr Farmer said.
August 12, 2009
MEDIA CONTACT:
Pyne Office:
Adam Howard 0400 414 833
Farmer Office:
Michael Shaw 0401 615 674