MEDIA RELEASE
QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT AGAIN FAILS TO FUND ITS
SCHOOLS
June 4, 2003 MIN367/03
Parents and teachers in Queensland’s state government schools
have every reason to be disappointed with yesterday’s budget
delivered by the Beattie Government.
While the Queensland Minister for Education Anna Bligh said that
"recurrent expenditure will increase by 5.8%", an analysis by the
Commonwealth Department of Education Science and Training reveals a
substantially lower figure.
Compared to the latest estimate of what Queensland is actually
planning to spend on its state government schools this financial
year, the 2003-04 Budget provides for a 2.4% increase in government
school expenditure. If inflation outstrips this it will be a
decrease in real terms.
In the May budget the Commonwealth increased its spending on
Queensland state government schools by 5.4%. If the Queensland
Government had matched this increase Queensland state government
schools would today be $116 million better off.
The Queensland Government’s failure to fund eduction has been
criticised by the Queensland Teachers Union.
"The Education budget
is a dud despite the Government’s weak attempt to hoodwink the
public with half-smart spin doctoring…State school funding in real
terms has been stalled since 1999 despite Government attempts to
fudge the figures."
Queensland Teachers’ Union, Media Release, 3 June, 2003
Government schools are the direct responsibility of State and
Territory Governments. Unless these governments at least match the
Commonwealth’s rate of increases in funding they are failing to
fulfil one of their main responsibilities.
Over the next financial year the GST will deliver over $6.2
billion in revenue to Queensland. The Queensland Government has no
excuse for not properly funding Queensland government state schools.
For further information:
Dr Nelson’s Office: Ross Hampton 0419 484 095
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