Gillard demands schools display government signs
09 Sep 2009
Media release Under new BER guidelines the Government has quietly released today, schools will be forced to display promotional government signs prominently on roadsides until March 2011, after the next Federal election.
The change in the guidelines has ensured that the Government will be getting the best compulsory publicity that $16 billion of taxpayers' money can buy, according to Shadow Education Minister Christopher Pyne.
"In the original Building the Education Revolution guidelines there was no time frame for how long a road side sign had to be displayed. Most schools assumed they would be removed once construction had been completed.
"The new guidelines state that roadside signs must be in place until the BER program expires in March 2011, even if construction has long been completed.
"This, combined with $3 million in plaques being attached to Julia Gillard memorial halls around the country, exposes the naked ambition of this Government to spend taxpayers' money to promote itself.
"If there was any truth in advertising, the Government should include the fact that they have plunged the country into $315 billion in debt and $57 billion in deficit on each of these roadside signs.""
August 27, 2009
Media contact: Adam Howard 0400 414 833
Original BER Guidelines (pg 14):
Roadside signs: Schools will be required to affix a roadside sign, to be supplied by the Commonwealth, in front of the school for projects being funded under the Primary Schools for the 21st Century and Science and Language Centres for 21st Century Secondary Schools.
New BER Guidelines (pg 15):
Roadside signs: Schools will be required to affix a roadside sign, to be supplied by the Commonwealth, in front of the school for projects being funded under the Primary Schools for the 21st Century and Science and Language Centres for 21st Century Secondary Schools elements. States, territories and BGAs are responsible for ensuring roadside signs are affixed and may be required to report on this through the monthly reporting. Signs are to be erected on commencement of construction and must remain on display until the completion of the BER program on 31 March 2011 or project completion should an extension be granted.