Plibersek pledges to restore school funds
DEPUTY Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek has promised to reverse school funding changes made by the Federal Government in last week’s Budget.
She said the Budget took about $300,000 from Balaclava State School and the de- cision to cap funding for Commonwealth-supported places at university barred regular Far North Queenslanders from accessing higher education.
“We don’t want to see kids in communities like this locked out of a university education,” she said. “The universities that have grown the most are the regional universities.”
Labor’s candidate for Leichhardt Elida Faith said it was essential to increase tertiary education opportunities through TAFE and universities.
“Our economy is changing fast and that means the skills Australians need (for) wellpaid, secure employment need to be up to date,” she said.
But Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said the figures were being twisted and that Far North Queensland students were better off now than ever.
“Education Department figures clearly show funding per student at Balaclava State School would actually increase from $3917 in 2018 to $4143 in 2019 and $4620 in 2021,” he said. “A record $4.25 billion will be invested in Queensland schools over the next financial year, including those in Cairns and Far North Queensland.
“The Federal Government has committed record funding and real money towards our schools.”