Labor’s $62m election promise to Darling Downs schools
Labor has promised $1bn in funding to schools around Queensland. Here’s what local schools will get.
QLD Votes
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THE Queensland Labor Party has promised $62m to Darling Downs schools ahead of the state election.
Toowoomba North Labor candidate Megan O’Hara Sullivan said $17.8 million had been promised to schools in that electorate.
She said an Annastacia Palaszczuk-led government would provide $11.9 million for classrooms at Wilsonton State High School, $2.8 million for classrooms at Toowoomba West Special School, $3 million for an extended administration building at Highfields State Primary School and $100,000 for private equitable access to amenities for student and staff at Newtown State School.
“I’m so proud of this,” Cr O’Hara Sullivan said.
“It’s not only for the kids, it’s for local industry.
“There are going to be jobs for people building the classrooms, installing the airconditioning.
“The investment in local buy and employment is incredible.
“It goes to the core of valuing education and valuing all students equally.”
She said these commitments came on top the government’s plan to aircondition every classroom, every staffroom and library in all Queensland schools by 2022.
Toowoomba South Labor candidate Susan Krause said four schools in her electorate would benefit from over $13 million in funding.
“Clifford Park Special School will see an almost $12 million boost in extra classrooms and facilities while Harristown State High will receive a new security fence – fantastic news for these schools,” she said.
Southern Downs Labor candidate Joel Richters said the new multipurpose hall at Warwick State High would be a fantastic addition to the school.
“I know this has been on the school’s infrastructure priority list for a while now so it’s great to see the multipurpose hall will now be a reality,” he said.
The funding forms part of Labor’s $1 billion Great Schools, Great Future education policy.
Overall 20 schools in the Darling Downs and South West area would be boosted from this funding.
Education Minister Grace Grace said the funding commitment was good news for the construction industry and the Queenslanders it employs.
“The Palaszczuk Government’s plan for economic recovery from COVID-19 begins with job creation,” she said.
“We always encourage our schools to engage local tradespeople to complete maintenance works and smaller jobs in schools.
“By investing in new and upgraded school infrastructure we are providing world-class education facilities for Queensland students.”