QLD Independent Public Schools each given $50k with no requirement to report on how it’s spent

Questions have been asked after the revelation that a group of Queensland public schools have been granted $50,000 under a controversial program, with no need to detail how they spend it.

Queensland’s Independent Public Schools will be asked to reveal how they’ve each spent $50,000 in funding granted to operate under the controversial program, following revelations they aren’t required to currently report.

Funding hasn’t been guaranteed for the program beyond next year, with Ms Grace saying the government hadn’t “landed either way” on its future.

“Are we spending it in the right area?” she said.

“I am sure that every school would love an additional $50,000 just put into their account without acquittal or any accountability of how they are spending it.”

Ms Grace told Budget Estimates yesterday she was expecting full transparency around how schools were using the annual funding.

Hon Grace Grace MP speaking during Estimates Hearings at Parliament. Pics Tara Croser.

“The (IPS) committee has identified several matters that would benefit from broader consultation next year, which we want to take,” she said.

“This includes the question of the funding that was originally intended to allow IPS schools to set up school councils.

“Some of them have been around since 2013.

“If they do not already have their school councils set up in terms of establishment costs, we really are starting to question exactly how this $50,000 is being spent in those schools that have been around for quite some time, that is, seven years.”

Ms Grace said Director-General Tony Cook was recently made aware of concerns around governance, and that schools would be asked what they’d used their funding for, particularly those that have been part of the program since it began in 2013.

“As I said, we will continue the funding as we have committed to for this financial year and we also want to have a look at how these schools are spending this money,” she said.