Opposition claims about schools politicking in by-election

11/3/94

Education Minister Norman Moore has condemned the Labor Party for inflaming community fears through false claims in the Fremantle by-election.

Mr Moore said he had found it necessary to write to the principals and parents of four schools to reassure them that claims by Dr Carmen Lawrence about school closures were lies.

"I am appalled at the way the Labor Party has used education as a political football, causing massive community distress amongst parents and children, for the party's own political ends," the Minister said.

In a letter to Fremantle electors, Dr Lawrence said people were worrying over 'issues like the State Government's decision to close White Gum Valley, Carawatha, Southwell and Coolbellup Primary Schools'.

"This is totally false," Mr Moore said.

"Not only have decisions not been taken on the future of any school, but the Government announced on Monday that no school would close without the agreement of the majority of the parents involved.

"Dr Lawrence clearly knows this, but has chosen to attempt to again mislead parents on the eve of a by-election."

Mr Moore said this came on top of a full-page advertisement in the Fremantle press which claimed the Government had already decided to close local schools.

Mr Moore said that in order to allay the fears of parents and children at the schools concerned, he had written to the principals, asking them to advise parents of the Government's true position.

The letter had also been referred to the Federal Electoral Commission to investigate what action could be taken, because the statement appeared clearly to breach electoral requirements.

Media contact:  Ross Storey 321 1444 / 222 9595