A re-elected Palaszczuk Government will build a new special school in the Caboolture area under a pledge to boost the state’s education infrastructure budget.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today promised to boost funding for the Building Future Schools for Queensland fund from $500 million to $808 million to build seven secondary schools, one special school and two primary schools.
Member for Morayfield Mark Ryan said today’s commitment would see a Labor government build a new special school in the Caboolture region, set to open in 2020.
“We are committed to giving Queensland students the best state education possible, no matter where they live,” Mr Ryan said.
“By building a new special school in the Caboolture area we’re giving local children with disability the support they need.
“We will invest $33 million to build this new special school that will cater for up to 150 students.”
A re-elected Palaszczuk Government will also deliver up to $235 million to refurbish 17 high schools.
In addition, the government will maintain the $750 million fund to maintain Queensland’s 25,000 school buildings across 1239 schools.
Labor Candidate for Pumicestone Michael Hoogwaerts said building a special school in the Caboolture area was proof of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to education in Queensland.
“If Labor is re-elected in November 25, building this school will be a priority for the government,” Mr Hoogwaerts said.
“Today’s policy is a landmark for education in this state – never has a government pledged so much to provide for the future of Queensland kids.
“In a world where the demands on our young people are constantly changing, education has never been so important.
“The Palaszczuk Government has delivered three consecutive record education budgets and boosted the infrastructure fund to give our teachers and students world-class facilities.”
Mr Ryan said the Newman-Nicholls Government shut schools and cut 500 teachers.
“When it comes to education, Labor has the runs on the board,” he said.
“This year we invested a record $765 million on infrastructure to build new schools on the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Townsville and Yarrabilba.
“Last time Tim Nicholls was in power he shut schools without community consultation and threatened to sell off the land.
“Mr Nicholls had a hit list of more than 50 schools he planned to close.
“On top of that, the LNP didn’t properly maintain our state schools – they left behind a backlog of $260 million in critical maintenance.
“In just three budgets, the Palaszczuk Government has reduced the Newman-Nicholl’s Government’s maintenance backlog by more than $100 million.”
