Public schools could expect to benefit from an extra $14 billion under a Shorten Labor Government.
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That is the promise of Whitlam MP Stephen Jones.
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Mr Jones made the announcement during a visit on the Highlands on February 1.
He said this would be the biggest school investment in Australian history.
“If our kids are going to have a chance to have a good life with a decent job they need a good education and the money we spend on this is an investment in their future,” he said.
Mr Jones said that parents were under the pump as they were faced with the ever-increasing cost of getting their children ready for school.
“New shoes, uniforms, backpacks, stationery – the list of things needed to ensure our children are able to be successful is a long and expensive one,” he said.
“In some cases it includes things that the schools used to provide themselves – like whiteboard markers.
“While the cost of everything seems to go up, wages have not.
“It’s why parents want their school to have enough money to educate their kids properly.”
Mr Jones said research showed there was an increasing gap between city schools and those in regional areas.
“All Australian kids deserve a fair go, regardless of where they live,” he said.
Mr Jones challenged all regional MPs and senators to back the $14 billion commitment.
“Maybe they could even match it,” he said.
“Throughout my entire electorate the difference between Liberal and Labor when it comes to school education is twenty one million dollars.
“That’s the difference in funding we will provide in my electorate.
“Bowral Public School will be over $500,000 better off under a federal Labor government. When they finish here and if they go over to Bowral High school, there will be over a million dollars difference.”
Labor candidate for Wollondilly, Jo-Ann Davidson said the NSW Labor government will invest in schools and Tafe education rather than “splurging on Sydney stadiums”.
“We need to be reinvesting in our education, especially Tafe educations as well,” she said.
“Once kids leave school, they may need different pathways other than university and need to go to Tafe.
“The NSW government will be investing seventy percent of the funding back into Tafe.
“The Tafe here at Moss Vale has virtually been left derelict by this government.
“The Labor government will also give all primary public schools a $5000 grant per year to the PNC committees to help with their funding.”
