Media Release

Labor's $1 million waste a slap in the face to Shire schools

Monday 21st June 2010

The Rudd Labor Government is wasting over $1 million on ‘incentive fees’ paid to large contractors at Shire schools while parents and students fight for basic facilities, Local Federal Member for Cook, Scott Morrison said today.

“Shire school communities have been ignored in the Rudd Government’s eagerness to spend with abandon and now over $1 million of taxpayer’s money is being wasted in fees that won’t see a single improvement at local schools,” Mr Morrison said.

“This is a kick in the guts for Shire schools, particularly for the parents, teachers and students at Gymea Bay Public who have been battling to have their dilapidated 75 year old toilets upgraded.

“The Rudd Government should have listened to parents and teachers at schools like Gymea Bay who know what their schools need. Instead the Rudd Government is spending over $73,000 paying incentive fees to big contractors at Gymea Bay while their toilets plunge further into ruin.

“This is yet another example of the Rudd Government’s misplaced spending which is a hallmark of the BER program.

“When a government adopts a spend first, think later strategy – local schools are ignored and taxpayer’s money is wasted.

“The Rudd Government’s BER programme has already been the subject of widespread abuse across the country, handing out more funds for incentive fees while ignoring local priorities is a flawed approach from a failed government.

“Schools deserve basic facilities but a government that is more interested in political expediency than the needs of students will never be able to deliver the outcomes needed to provide better education for our children,” Mr Morrison said.