Federal Government infrastructure funding

The Federal Government's announcement during the federal election of $1 billion over the next four years to fund school infrastructure projects will see $700 million provided for public school buildings and facilities.

While this will provide some welcome funding for schools, the politically motivated method of allocation is opposed.

In contrast to private schools which are allocated this money through a block grant, in an attempt to further the ideology of devolution and atomise our public education system, funding for each public schools is submission based. This method of allocation of funds will pit community against community.

Furthermore this method of allocation undermines the principle of access and equity as our most disadvantaged communities do not have access to the same resources as wealthier communities.

Federal government infrastructure funding must be driven by:

• the Federal Government working in partnership with state and territory governments to improve the infrastructure of public schools; and
• state and territory governments allocating funding to address priority needs.

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Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005