Media Release

QUEENSLANDERS are being subjected to shameless spin as the Newman Government attempts to disguise its failure to provide the state’s schools with the major funding boost they deserve, says Shadow Education Minister Yvette D’Ath.
“Throughout Queensland LNP MPs are spruiking additional funding to their local schools as a triumph,” she said.
“They are taking credit for an additional $131 million of federal funding that is being shared out, when what they should be doing is apologising for rejecting the plan that would have made the step-change Queensland’s education system needs."
“Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek was the biggest dunce in Australia when he turned-down the chance to pour $3.8 billion into Queensland schools over six years under the previous Federal Labor Government’s Gonski proposals."
“Mr Langbroek put the LNP’s shabby political motives ahead of the future educational opportunities for tens of thousands of Queensland students and to pretend that the second-rate deal struck with the incoming Abbott Government is anything other than a wasted opportunity is a betrayal of the truth."
“Queenslanders should be under no illusions. Their local schools will get much less as a result of Mr Langbroek’s conceit than if he had signed up to Gonski."
“Furthermore, the Newman Government is failing to spend the additional money where it is needed most."
“The independent Gonski review, which was widely praised and acknowledged across the political spectrum except here in Queensland by the LNP, emphasised that the extra funding should be directed to help students from the most disadvantaged backgrounds to help close the gap between the haves and have-nots."
“Money should be directed to give additional assistance to Indigenous students, those with disability, those with limited English proficiency and those who attend small and remote schools."
“Experts advise that the gap between the most advantaged and most disadvantaged of students is equivalent to about two and a half years of schooling in maths, reading and science. That is to our national shame and something that must be addressed."
“Gonski and the Better Schools funding model were all about addressing that gap, but Mr Langbroek has foolishly sabotaged all that."
“Instead of receiving the game-changing funding they deserve, schools have no guarantees that the Newman Government won’t use extra federal funds to camouflage cuts to the state education budget."
“Mr Langbroek’s record as Education Minister makes depressing reading. He has closed schools, cut the number of teachers and failed to spend all the money allocated to the education budget in 2012/13."
“In fact, a shocking $273.8 million went unspent. That is far more than the $131 million he is now dividing up amongst Queensland’s underfunded schools."
“The highest underspend, of $713 per pupil, was for students with a disability."
“From 2012 to 2013 the Newman Government slashed 518 full time teachers. Ten per cent of our schools lost at least one full-time teaching position as Mr Langbroek allowed Queensland’s ratio of students to teachers to soar to the highest in Australia."

“That is what Queenslanders should remember when they see their local LNP MP attempting to pull the wool over their eyes with dodgy statistics on school funding."