LANGBROEK TRIES TO REWRITE HISTORY

Media Release

Shadow Education Minister, Yvette D’Ath, says Queenslanders have a right to be cynical about the timing of the Education Minister’s announcement of new funds for music students in state schools.
Ms D’Ath said Queenslanders would recall it was John-Paul Langbroek who callously cut funds for the biennial Fanfare school music program shortly after becoming Minister.
“I and the Labor Party of course welcome any extra funds for music education in schools,” Ms D’Ath said.
“Music education and the arts in general can help develop students’ natural talents and confidence and open up all sorts of possibilities in their future lives and careers."
“But people could rightly question why this announcement has been made just days after the humiliating swing against Premier Campbell Newman and the arrogant LNP in the Stafford by-election."
“It is curious that the specific funding John-Paul Langbroek has announced does not appear to have been included in the State Budget delivered in June."
“In fact the word ‘music’ does not even appear in the education service delivery statement (SDS) - the budget document detailing education spending."
“So Queenslanders could be excused if they think it is just part of the LNP’s post-Stafford efforts to rehabilitate its public image.”
Ms D’Ath said the Education Minister and the LNP government should not be trying to rewrite history.
“Let's not forget that John-Paul Langbroek revealed his attitude to music in schools by cutting funding for the Fanfare and MOST (Musically Outstanding Students) school music programs shortly after becoming Education Minister,” she said.
“The biennial Fanfare program for school ensembles has been running since 1985 — almost 30 years — but it nearly did not survive the mean-spirited Newman Government."
“The Minister was happy to shut it down. It took a private sponsor in the form of entertainment venue operator AEG Ogden to rescue it with $150,000 sponsorship so Fanfare could be held in 2014 and MOST could be run last year."
“Even after he cut Fanfare funding, the Minister and other LNP MPs have been happy to seek publicity by associating themselves with the Fanfare program and their local schools."
“I wonder if they ever confess to their school communities that they really did not want the program at all."

“Their behaviour is just the usual LNP hypocrisy and arrogance we have seen for more than two years.”