School sold to French on the cheap

By Kerri Carr

Maroubra High School was sold to the French School (Lycee Condorcet) at $4 million less than market value, Freedom of Information documents have revealed.

Eastern Suburbs Teachers Association obtained the documents and Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon asked Treasurer Michael Egan about the sale in a question without notice in the NSW Parliament on October 14.

Mr Egan said: "I make no apology for ensuring that NSW has a competitive advantage when we are trying to attract investment into Australia, and particularly into NSW.

"One of the advantages that we have with French companies is the existence of the French School," Mr Egan said.

"It is true that the site was purchased by the French School for nearly $11 million. That was below the State Valuation Office valuation of $15 million.

"That $11 million will be spent on redeveloping public schools, including a new performing arts facility at JJ Cahill Memorial High School in Rosebery, redeveloping Tempe High School, upgrading the Balmain, Blackwattle and Leichhardt campuses of the Sydney Secondary College, and upgrading performing arts facilities at Randwick Boys High School."

Greens NSW education Spokesperson John Kaye said public education in NSW was being "sacrificed to attract foreign investment".

"This is extremely short sighted policy from NSW Labor," Mr Kaye said.

"The loss of Maroubra High School and the social and economic benefits of public education can never be compensated by a fist full of French francs.

"It's ironic that NSW Treasurer Michael Egan, the high priest of neo-liberal economic ideology in the Carr Government, has no problems selling a public asset for less than its market value. With this kind of voodoo economics, it is little wonder that Bob Carr feels he cannot afford to invest in better teachers' salaries."

Mr Kaye said the Greens were determined to make this sale as difficult as possible for the NSW Labor Government.

"We want to make them think twice before they try it on again," Mr Kaye said.

"We are calling on all supporters of public education to let the Carr government know they are angry at the sell out of public education and the sleazy deal with a wealthy private school."

Mr Kaye said the French School does not offer the NSW syllabus or prepare students for the HSC, but follows the French school curriculum and prepares students for the French examinations.

He said the French School was affiliated with the Association of Independent Schools of NSW.

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