Cairns schools listed to receive new halls in Labor’s $57m infrastructure spree

Labor has labelled the LNP’s $13m Cairns school commitment as “undercooked” as it goes on its own $57m education infrastructure spree. List of schools that would receive funds.

The Queensland Labor government has committed $57 million in funding for new infrastructure for Cairns schools, should they be reelected, including $20 million for a news performing arts centre at Whitfield State School. Cassie Goodhew's two daughters Mila Goodhew, 6, and Ava Goodhew, 9, both study music at Whitfield State School and would benefit from a new art centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

Students at an inner-city Cairns school are set to become winners regardless of the results of the state election as the major parties splash their cash for education infrastructure.

The Labor Party has offered $57m for school halls around Cairns as an election commitment following the Liberal National Party’s promise to deliver a $13m performing arts centre at Whitfield on Friday.

Cairns MP Michael Healy, Barron River MP Craig Crawford and Labor’s Mulgrave candidate Richie Bates stood by Whitfield State School Parents and Citizens committee president Eve Elliott-Smith while announcing the investment.

It included $3.5m each for classroom upgrades at Parramatta, Edge Hill, Balaclava and Whitfield State Schools.

An additional $23.6m was allocated for a performing arts centre at Woree State High School and $20m was committed to Whitfield’s performing arts centre, triumphing the LNP’s offer by $7m.

The Liberal National Party has announced that it will construct a $13 million arts centre at Whitfield State School if it is elected into government on October 26. Whitfield State School P&C president Eve Elliott Smith, LNP candidate for Cairns Yolonde Entsch and LNP spokesman for education Dr Christian Rowan. Picture: Brendan Radke

Mr Healy defended the timing of the announcement, declaring it was not reactionary, rather “two and a half years” in the making, for the school which had reportedly received no funding for more than 10 years.

“A $57m investment doesn’t happen in just the last couple days, this has been detailed, we’ve had a look at maps and details the school have sent through,” Mr Healy said.

His comments come as details surfaced on Monday of the LNP’s reported unwillingness to meet with independent government departments, due to fears public servants would leak information to its Labor ministers.

Mr Healy said the school and the P & C had reached out to his office with documentation, which was processed “internally” by the Education Department, resulting in the sum of $20m required for the Whitfield State School hall.

The Queensland Labor government has committed $57 million in funding for new infrastructure for Cairns schools, should they be reelected. Member for Barron River Craig Crawford, Whitfield State School P&C president Eve Elliott-Smith, Member for Cairns Michael Healy and Labor candidate for Mulgrave Richie Bates have announced that Whitfield State School will receive $20 million for a new arts centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

“You’d have to talk to them about that, but they are consistently underfunding projects,” Mr Healy said when asked about the LNP’s reported unwillingness to meet with departments.

“We don’t believe ($13m) is sufficient for this infrastructure.

“I think it’s a like a lot of things, I think it’s undercooked; I don’t think they’ve had a good look at it.

“And what (the LNP) can say is ‘we’ve allocated money, it’s too much, we can’t do it’.”

Ms Entsch and the LNP were contacted for comment.

Ms Elliot-Smith said she was “thrilled” to have support from both sides of politics and Year 4 music student Ava Goodhew said a performing arts centre would ensure students didn’t have to travel to neighbouring schools to practice and perform.

“I don’t like driving out to other schools just do some music practice, it takes up a lot of time in the morning,” she said.

Originally published as Cairns schools listed to receive new halls in Labor’s $57m infrastructure spree