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Media Release
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The Hon Julie Bishop MP|
Minister fo Education, Science and Training
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women's Issues
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The Hon Christopher Pyne MP
Assistant Minister for Health and Ageing |
$500,000 to Support Life Education
5 February 2007
The Australian Government will invest $500,000 to support drug education in schools, the Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop, and the Assistant Minister for Health and Ageing, the Hon Christopher Pyne, announced today.
“This vital two year funding will go to Life Education Australia (LEA), a community-based not-for-profit organisation that provides school-based drug education and health promotion to Australian primary and secondary school students,” Minister Bishop said.
“With programmes that commenced in 1979, LEA has had a long commitment to tackling drugs and drug use. They currently deliver positive and preventative drug and health education programmes to 800,000 primary and secondary students annually.
“The Government has a strong commitment to ensuring young Australians have the skills to make smart, positive life decisions, and this funding shows that we stand firm on our resolve to prevent drug use in our community,” Mr Pyne said.
“Educating young people and the broader community on the dangers of drug use is critical,” Minister Bishop emphasised.
“As LEA is the umbrella organisation for a number of franchise-based organisations that operate in all States and Territories, it is disappointing that some States and Territories have in fact withdrawn their funding for this important programme.
“We will be writing to the state and territories that have withdrawn funding to reconsider their stance, and to strongly urge their support for future LEA activities.
“Life Education’s state-based affiliates should be supported at the state level, given it is state and territory education authorities and their schools that engage Life Education to conduct drug education professional development,” Mr Pyne concluded.
Media Contacts:
Mr Pyne’s office: Adam Howard 0400 414 833
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