Election tensions rise over Pottsville high school proposal
Tweed MP Geoff Provest and Labor candidate Craig Elliot have taken a swipe over a promise for a long-awaited new school.
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Tweed MP Geoff Provest and Labor candidate Craig Elliot have taken a swipe over a state election promise for a new high school in the region.
It comes as some Tweed Shire residents push back against a merger of four Murwillumbah schools, which would be scrapped if Labor came to power.
Shadow Education Minister Prue Car and Mr Elliot, the husband of federal Richmond MP Justine Elliot, pledged last month to build a new high school in Pottsville if Labor is elected.
On Tuesday, Mr Provest took to social media and issued a statement titled: “Independent report uncovers Labor’s empty promise for High School in Pottsville”.
He pointed to NSW Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) costings.
“Labor has once again committed to this new high school only for it to come out they have allocated no money to deliver it,” Mr Provest said.
“Labor has already broken a promise to our community and the election hasn’t even been held.
“Families in Tweed have a right to know what else has been committed by Labor but won’t be delivered.
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“In contrast, the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has continued to invest in local schools with more than $140 million in upgrades currently being delivered at Kingscliff High School, Tweed River High School, Kingscliff Public School, Tweed Heads South Public School.
“This is proof that only the NSW Nationals will invest in the education needs of our community.”
Specific mention of a new Pottsville high school could not be found in the PBO’s 2023 ALP election policy costing, but it does include references to general school and education funding.
Mr Elliot said the statement was a desperate attempt by Mr Provest ahead of the vote.
“Labor’s first step will be to do the planning, identify the site so we can build a high school in Pottsville,” he said.
“Labor is the only party committed to building a school in Pottsville … the community has been crying out for this for years and years.
“Geoff Provest has been asleep at the wheel … closing four schools at Murwillumbah while Labor will keep the four schools open and build a school in Pottsville.”
The state election will be held on March 25.
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