Rudd fails to support Deputy on school signs
09 Sep 2009
Media release Prime Minister Kevin Rudd today cast further doubt on the legitimacy of Julia Gillard's roadside school signs, telling Perth radio that he would be waiting to see the results of the AEC investigation into whether the signs were illegal, according to Shadow Education Minister Christopher Pyne.
"The Opposition has written to the Electoral Commissioner pointing out that Julia Gillard's multi-million dollar signs may be in breach of two sections of the Commonwealth Electoral Act - as their political slogans mean they constitute political advertising without authorisation, and further that they will be within six metres of a polling place given that most polling places are on school grounds.
"It was only last week Julia Gillard slipped into the regulations for schools that these signs had to stay up until March 2011, irrespective of when the project was completed.
"Today the Prime Minister has refused to back her up - instead referring the whole matter to the Electoral Commissioner for his arbitration.""
When asked by host Simon Beaumont about concerns that the signs were in breach of electoral laws, the Prime Minister responded:
Rudd: ... on the question you raise specifically about Australia's electoral laws, the Government will always act in response to the provisions of the Australian Electoral Act, the Australian Electoral Commission and we'll do so with the future as well.
Beaumont: All right, so you'll wait for a ruling on that?
Rudd: That's the right thing to do...
"On the weekend Anthony Albanese was defending Ms Gillard saying that these signs were par for the course," said Mr Pyne. "It is most telling that the Prime Minister has declined to express the same confidence.
"The schools stimulus debacle has blown out by $1.5 billion. It is under investigation by the Auditor General, as well as the Australian Electoral Commissioner.
"It is clear that Julia Gillard's failure to attend to the detail of her portfolio is coming at too high a cost for Australian students, parents, teachers, and taxpayers.
"It is time for the Prime Minister to appoint a full-time Education Minister.""
August 31, 2009
Media contact:
Adam Howard 0400 414 833