Always Someone Else's Fault: Gillard
17 Sep 2009
Media release Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard has again failed to address serious concerns raised by the Opposition in Question Time today about waste and mismanagement in her portfolio, according to Shadow Education Minister Christopher Pyne.
"For five days in a row and for some months now the Opposition has raised serious concerns with Minister Gillard's schools stimulus debacle, and for five days in a row she has refused to respond to our concerns," said Mr Pyne.
"Our concerns are shared by school communities across Australia, who have brought a legion of examples of Government waste to our attention.
"Our concerns are shared by the Auditor General, who is conducting a full investigation into the program.
"And our concerns are shared by the Australian Education Union, education academics, media representatives and scores of country tradies and builders who have missed out on contracts in favour of city based firms.
In today's Question Time, Minister Gillard was asked:
- A question about her comments that to suggest there is waste in her $16.2 billion schools stimulus program is merely 'nitpicking';
- About the Abbotsford Public School, where four classrooms are being knocked down to be replaced by four classrooms, and comments made to the school community by departmental representatives on Friday that the school couldn't have the project they needed because it might set a 'precedent';
- About the Baulkham Hills North Public School - a school of 650 students who are being given a new school hall with enough room to seat only 200 students at $81,500 per square metre;
- About the Labor Party's leaked talking points for back-benchers, which encourage Members to blame State and Territory Governments for problems with the program, even though only the Australian Government is acknowledged on the roadside signs schools are being forced to erect;
- Who will pick up the $85,000 in consultants fee already spent at the Abbotsford Public School if the School Council reject the BER project to knock down and rebuild four classrooms.
"Australian taxpayers deserve value for money, not a Minister who never answers a question.
"Australia deserves better than a part time Education Minister."
September 14, 2009
MEDIA CONTACT: Adam Howard 0400 414 833