Moncrieff Media

Answers to finally come for Gold Coast schools seeking Government stimulus

27 July 2009

A probe into the Rudd Labor Government’s school infrastructure program has been welcomed by local MP Steven Ciobo, especially given it will highlight problems for local Gold Coast schools.

Mr Ciobo’s comments follow today’s announcement that the Commonwealth Auditor-General will investigate the mismanagement and millions of wasted dollars under Labor’s flawed Building the Education Revolution (BER).

“The Coalition welcomes this audit; and I believe it is about time Gold Coast schools and locals knew exactly how Labor’s poorly planned and even more poorly executed program work, or doesn’t work as the case may be,” Mr Ciobo said.

“The Auditor-General will examine why schools are being forced to accept buildings they don’t want or need.

                                                                                                                                                 “Further, Labor must answer questions over why our schools are being forced to use expensive contractors from elsewhere, instead of local builders. Also, the Auditor-General will explore why State Government-approved contractors are raking in millions of dollars while costs spiral out of control.

“Gold Coast schools should be confident their individual needs will be granted, however, the present reality is many of them have been lumped with a one-size-fits-all response by the Rudd Labor Government.

“The decisions about these projects should be made by our local school communities, not by politicians.”

Labor’s program has been plagued with flaws since the beginning. Schools all around Australia have highlighted mismanagement and wasted tax payers’ money under the BER debacle.

“Gold Coasters deserve to be shown real results, not more empty, costly promises by the Labor Government,” Mr Ciobo said.