James Merlino slams claims school funding sent to Labor-held seats

Education Minister James Merlino has defended the allocation of school funding in the budget after claims 80 per cent was directed to Labor-held seats.

Education Minister James Merlino has hit back at claims his government “pork barrelled” school funding to favour government-held seats in the budget, boasting he “can’t help that Labor won a lot of electorates” in the 2018 election.

Speaking at the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee on Monday, Mr Merlino said the government’s decision to prioritise funding was on a needs basis

Liberal MP James Newbury, who represents the inner-southeast seat of Brighton, accused the government of directing 80 per cent of school funding to Labor-held seats.

“Minister, it’s pork barrelling. The government is pouring money into Labor electorates. Those are facts,” Mr Newbury said.

“To know that only one in six times is that funding going to a non-Labor electorate is shocking.”

But Mr Merlino defended the funding allocation, explaining the assessment was based on several factors, including growth suburbs in the outskirts of metropolitan Melbourne that faced enrolment pressures.

Education Minister James Merlino has hit back at claims his government ‘pork barrelled’ school funding. Picture: David Crosling

He added that money for existing schools was based on the functionality and condition of buildings, as well as the needs of the individual school.

“We invest at the time it is required, where it is required,” Mr Merlino said.

“The advice I receive is not based on electorates.

“We build new schools where the growth demands it.

“I can’t help that Labor won a lot of electorates and that Labor secured victory in growth corridors.”

Mr Newbury said historic schools in Liberal-held areas, including Malvern and Brighton, didn’t receive funding on the same scale.

“Liberal electorates are being neglected quite purposefully,” he said.

“There’s literally nothing in that entire area.

“In one of my schools – and it’s a historic school – half the primary school has been in demountables since the ’70s. When people were wearing flares, half the school went into demountables and you’re telling me that school isn’t warranted for school funding?

“They’ve had nothing. That’s extraordinary.”

Mr Merlino fired back that a number of schools in those seats — including Brighton Beach primary school, Elsternwick primary school and Elwood College — all secured recent money.

“(They got) Nothing from your side of politics when you were in government,” he said.

“(Our capital program) is colour-blind. I completely reject the proposition you are putting to me.”