Queensland Shadow Minister for Education and Training Bruce Flegg

Huge black hole in education green paper

Victor P Taffa

The Bligh Labor Government’s proposal to move 40,000 students from primary to high school struck a huge hurdle when the Opposition revealed it contains no mention of additional funding or the employment of teachers.

Shadow Minister for Education Dr Bruce Flegg said once again the Bligh Labor Government had failed to properly plan an onerous change and was racing against the clock to implement the change.

“The Green Paper’s $300 M for additional capital works is completely inadequate and we are yet to hear from Premier Bligh and Labor where those figures are coming from. Are these new funds or have other projects been raided for cash?” Dr. Flegg asked.

Dr Flegg said forcing Queensland high school students to make do with inadequate school facilities and then expect education standards to automatically improve was ludicrous.

“The Bligh Labor Government has no plan to improve the education standards of Queensland students and thinks an ill-planned quick fix will do the job.” Dr. Flegg said.

“It’s time the Minister started explaining what facilities the addition 40,000 high school students and the extra 2000 high school teachers will have access to.”

How will all Queensland students receive a laptop if basic facilities cannot be provided for?

Where would the money also come from if Canberra sucks 30% of G.S.T. earnings from State Government’s into its own budget black hole?

Is the Rudd Government financial wizardry for hospitals an attempt to conceal its own foiled failures for schools?