❓ Opposition MP Staltari questions the Minister for Education about neglected school facilities and funding. The Minister responds by highlighting the government's investment in public education and maintenance.
AnsweredQoN 485Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Cook government—Education spending
485. Mr Liam Staltari to
the Minister for Education:
I refer to
revelations about the appalling neglect of facilities in many WA public
schools.
(1) Why are these schools being neglected to the
point at which students and teachers are in classrooms with wooden battens
propping up sagging ceilings, as well as gaping wall cracks, ceiling holes and
asbestos warnings?
(2) Will the minister commit to bringing the
Public Education Endowment Repeal Bill back to the Parliament and accept the
opposition's amendment to guarantee its $40 million of funds for urgent school
repairs?
485. Mr Liam Staltari to
the Minister for Education:
I refer to
revelations about the appalling neglect of facilities in many WA public
schools.
(1) Why are these schools being neglected to the
point at which students and teachers are in classrooms with wooden battens
propping up sagging ceilings, as well as gaping wall cracks, ceiling holes and
asbestos warnings?
(2) Will the minister commit to bringing the
Public Education Endowment Repeal Bill back to the Parliament and accept the
opposition's amendment to guarantee its $40 million of funds for urgent school
repairs?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member
for the question. I want to take this opportunity to welcome the students from
Karrinyup Primary School. It is fantastic to know that we have thousands of
students who come through our classrooms each and every year. It is an
incredible experience for you. I hope you enjoy your time with the member for
Scarborough and watching question time.
(1)–(2) I welcome the opportunity to talk
about this government's record investment when it comes to our public schools
throughout Western Australia. With over 830 public schools in Western
Australia, the people of Western Australia know who values and invests in
public education.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Ms Sabine Winton: I am going to say it nice and slowly
so everybody hears it. Since 2017, this government has invested $5.4 billion
into our public schools. That investment since we came into government is unmatched
by anyone. In fact, since we took government in 2017, our asset investment program
has doubled each year.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members of the opposition!
Ms Sabine Winton: I am very proud to be the Minister
for Education who, in a Labor government, will always invest in public schools.
I want to specifically talk about some of the issues raised by the member
opposite around maintenance. I want to put on the record the record investment
just in maintenance that our government has made since coming to office—some
$1 billion in maintenance works right throughout schools no matter where
families and students are. It is an investment sustained over time. Some $125 million
goes into our schools each and every year to support them with important
maintenance work so that we can continue to have schools with great learning
environments no matter where our students live.
for the question. I want to take this opportunity to welcome the students from
Karrinyup Primary School. It is fantastic to know that we have thousands of
students who come through our classrooms each and every year. It is an
incredible experience for you. I hope you enjoy your time with the member for
Scarborough and watching question time.
(1)–(2) I welcome the opportunity to talk
about this government's record investment when it comes to our public schools
throughout Western Australia. With over 830 public schools in Western
Australia, the people of Western Australia know who values and invests in
public education.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members!
Ms Sabine Winton: I am going to say it nice and slowly
so everybody hears it. Since 2017, this government has invested $5.4 billion
into our public schools. That investment since we came into government is unmatched
by anyone. In fact, since we took government in 2017, our asset investment program
has doubled each year.
Several members
interjected.
The Speaker: Members of the opposition!
Ms Sabine Winton: I am very proud to be the Minister
for Education who, in a Labor government, will always invest in public schools.
I want to specifically talk about some of the issues raised by the member
opposite around maintenance. I want to put on the record the record investment
just in maintenance that our government has made since coming to office—some
$1 billion in maintenance works right throughout schools no matter where
families and students are. It is an investment sustained over time. Some $125 million
goes into our schools each and every year to support them with important
maintenance work so that we can continue to have schools with great learning
environments no matter where our students live.
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