The Minns Labor Government is once again claiming credit for the Coalition’s work, after it announced it will build ‘new’ schools in Western Sydney.
Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said Labor is reaping the rewards of the groundwork put in place by the Liberals and Nationals, with several of the schools already in the development stage.
“Most of these projects were only made possible by the planning and funding set aside by the former Government, but the Government is yet again trying to claim ideas that aren’t theirs,” Mr Speakman said.”
“By the Government’s own admission, $3 billion of today’s announcement is from the last Budget delivered by the Liberals and Nationals. Proof of this includes the fact that construction began in 2022 for the new high school at Wentworth Point and work started at Gulyangarri Primary School in Liverpool before Labor was elected.”
“During our time in Government, the Liberals and Nationals delivered $9.1b in new and upgraded schools since 2017, with an additional $8.6b in the pipeline for future projects, so that is more than $17.7 billion worth of school infrastructure across the state.”
In the Coalition’s 2022-23 Budget, money was allocated for the following schools in various stages of delivery:
- New high school for Wentworth Point
- New primary school for Gables
- New primary school for Melonba
- New high school for Melonba
- New primary school for Nirimba Fields
- New primary school for Tallawong
- New primary school for Gregory Hills
- New high school for Edmondson Park
- New primary school for Liverpool (Gulyangarri Public)
Shadow Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said today’s announcement lacks detail and transparency.
“To say we didn’t invest in school infrastructure is another blatant Labor lie, especially considering only $500m of their announcement is supposedly ‘new’ money”, Ms Mitchell said.
“The Government hasn’t said if this is new money or a redirection of existing funds in the Budget. The Government needs to be up front with families about what other projects might be on the chopping block and what other parts of the state will miss out to pay for any new commitments in Western Sydney.”
