Liberals back Alice Springs site for young to live and learn

Coalition members have called on the Albanese government to ­urgently deliver funding to an Alice Springs school proposing to build accommodation for students and staff.

Yipirinya School principal Gavin Morris with, from left, students Jahquille Stuart, Malikai Hayes, Keylin Peters, Akiel Douglas and Adrian Nelson. Picture: Grenville Turner

Coalition members have called on the Albanese government to ­urgently deliver funding to an Alice Springs school proposing to build accommodation on its grounds for students and staff.

The move comes as federal Education Minister Jason Clare said his department would “welcome” the opportunity to meet with representatives from Yipirinya School to further the plans.

Northern Territory federal Labor MP Marion Scrymgour has already backed moves by principal Gavin Morris to get Indigenous children off the streets and into the classroom by providing safe accommodation in a central location that could be accessed by students from multiple schools.

On Thursday opposition Indigenous Australians spokes­woman Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and education spokeswoman Sarah Henderson said they were “deeply concerned” that Ms Scrymgour wanted to have the accommodation built in a separate location to Yipirinya.

“Not only does Ms Scrymgour’s thought bubble fly in the face of the school’s evidence-based proposal, it has the potential to undermine the safety and security of students attending the school,” said Senator Price, whose mother Bess Price is deputy principal at the school.

“I have confirmed today that Yipirinya School does not support Ms Scrymgour’s proposal and is seeking funding for on-site ­accommodation only so that students can be properly supervised and supported in a caring boarding school environment.”

On Thursday Dr Morris said following further consultation with his school community a shared facility “would not serve” Yipirinya kids and that he did not want to develop a “mini town camp”, but would “absolutely” continue working with Ms Scrymgour.

Dr Morris, who has a PhD in Aboriginal trauma and lectures at Charles Darwin University, told The Australian earlier this week many of his students were in crisis because they didn’t feel safe enough to return home.

A spokesman for Mr Clare said the National Indigenous Australians Agency had been in “regular contact” with the school since an initial proposal for staff and student accommodation was submitted in November.

Senator Price said she raised concerns about delays in funding in Senate estimates in February and that she was advised the school might be eligible for ­support under a $250m package for Central Australia announced by the government earlier this year.

Senator Henderson said Mr Clare was “missing in action”, and called for him to “step up” and ­deliver the funding.

“With less than a fortnight until the federal budget is handed down, Labor must ensure this funding is urgently delivered,” Senator Henderson said.

“The single most important action we can take to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians is to give them the best possible start in life, including a safe and supportive school environment.

“The Coalition understands the enormous challenges of educating Indigenous children living in remote communities, which is why we made this vital funding commitment.

“The new accommodation ­facilities at the school will support students, some of whom are travelling up to three hours a day by bus to go to school.