Labor's candidate for the federal seat of Canning Mellisa Teede has used a school visit by deputy opposition leader Tanya Plibersek to accuse her opponents of financial neglecting education services in the electorate.
Ms Teede revealed the Shorten Labor Government’s plan to fund public schools if elected, stating Peel providers would be “better off” without a Liberal government.
According to Ms Teede, local public schools would be $26.7 million better off under Labor.
“Labor will provide an extra $14 billion for public schools to deliver the biggest school investment in Australia,” she said.
Incumbent federal member for Canning Andrew Hastie strongly disagreed and pointed the finger at Ms Teede for being dishonest and using students as “political props”.
Character counts in politics. There have been no cuts to public school funding.
- Federal member for Canning Andrew Hastie
“Mellisa Teede is telling more lies to people in Mandurah. She keeps doing it,” Mr Hastie said.
“School kids should not be used as political props.
“Character counts in politics.
“There have been no cuts to public school funding.”
However, in a statement released during the visit, Ms Teede outlined Labor’s the estimated extra funding each school could expect in the plan’s first three years.
Our extra investment will transform public schools across Canning and give all children the opportunity to reach their full potential, no matter where they live, or how much their parents earn.
- Labor's candidate for the federal seat of Canning Mellisa Teede
According to the data, Halls Head College would be $2.44 million better off with John Tonkin College not far behind on $1.93 and Coodanup College estimated at $1.52.
“A new website – www.fairgoforschools.com.au – will give each school an estimate of the extra funding it can expect in the first three tears of Labor’s plan,” she said.
“Parents and teachers know what this could mean for their children.
“More one on one attention, an extra teacher or teacher aid.
“This funding will give schools the resources they need to help students master the basics.
“Our extra investment will transform public schools across Canning and give all children the opportunity to reach their full potential, no matter where they live, or how much their parents earn.
“Because of Scott Morrison’s cuts, almost nine in ten public schools will never get to their fair funding level.
“Over the last five years all the Liberals have done is attack public schools and slash their funding.”
Mr Hastie cried foul over the estimated extra funding.
“Last year we provided $6.8 billion to state schools,” Mr Hastie said.
“This year it will be $7.3 billion.
“It will be $7.9 billion next year and $8.6 billion the year after that.
“In fact, funding to all schools in Australia will grow by 68 per cent to 2027, thanks to Liberal-National policies.”
To view financial contributions across the past decade, visit the Commonwealth’s non-partisan school funding calculator at www.education.gov.au/school-funding-estimator.
Want to have your say on funding into Peel schools? Get in touch with our team via editor.mandurahmail@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
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