LANGBROEK PUTS POLITICS FIRST ON CLOSURE TIMING

Media Release.

Opposition frontbencher Jackie Trad says the Newman Government’s handling of school closures shows it has been more concerned with its political standing than the sensitivities of students and school communities.

“Given its past performance, the Newman Government is likely to reveal the fate of the eight schools facing closure late in the afternoon this Friday, the last day of the current school term,” Ms Trad said.

“It hopes by making a decision as close as possible to the school holidays it will avoid protests by school communities."

“The timing of the announcement will be made to suit the Newman Government."

“It has already postponed a decision until after the federal election fearing a political backlash.”

Ms Trad said Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek had previously promised a decision by “the end of July” to give school communities “a clear six months before people have to plan for 2014”.

“But after he made that promise in May the Minister quickly broke it and cut short the consultation period by two weeks and then postponed a decision until after the federal election,” she said.

“The Newman Government can always be guaranteed to look after its own interests before those of anyone else, even children at state primary and high schools."

“I saw this first-hand in the lead-up to the federal election when decisions on school land sales and the merger of two high schools in my electorate were taken off the agenda in a futile bid to help the LNP’s campaign in the seat of Griffith."

“Sadly politics always comes first with the Newman Government, not the future of Queensland school children, their families, teachers, schools, and school communities.”