27/9/04
Education and Training Minister Alan Carpenter has dismissed the Prime Minister's plans for education and training in Western Australia as 'absurd and unworkable', saying they prove that John Howard 'doesn't have a clue' about education and training.
"Mr Howard has announced that school P&C groups would be asked to apply for Federal funding and that he would create two new technical schools in WA," Mr Carpenter said.
"He gets zero out of 10 for both initiatives.
"Schools should not have to go cap in hand to Canberra to get capital works done - some schools don't even have a P&C.
"This money should go straight to WA's Department of Education and Training, because the department knows where the money is needed.
"I don't think Mr Howard cares where the money is needed, only where votes are needed.
"This whole plan is simply his excuse for an attack on State Governments."
Mr Carpenter said the Commonwealth's contribution to capital works in WA State schools was less today than it was more than 10 years ago.
"In 1993-94, the Federal Government contributed $25.5million of a total schools capital works budget of $69.5million," he said.
"In 2003-04, their contribution was only $23million of a total capital works budget of $133million.
"And in 2004-05, the allocation from the Commonwealth Government is $25.18million out of a total capital works budget of $151.8million.
"WA is spending twice as much on capital works for schools, while the Federal Government has actually cut its contribution.
"As for two Federal technical schools - the Prime Minister should be aware that WA has institutions called TAFE colleges with superb, world-class facilities and excellent lecturers and courses of study.
"The only thing TAFEWA lacks is financial support from the Federal Government.
"Having ignored training over the past three years, two weeks out from an election John Howard is throwing money at a problem he does not know how to solve, in a last ditch bid to get re-elected.
"In seeking to bypass local schools and TAFEWA colleges, Mr Howard is putting his own political interests ahead of the best education and training options for young people."
Mr Carpenter said a Latham Labor Government would provide much needed co-operation and assistance between State and Federal Governments.
"Under Mark Latham's policies, we will see 20,000 extra TAFE places and the abolition of TAFE fees for secondary students," he said.
"I am sure most voters can see through John Howard's nonsense at a glance.
"The Prime Minister should be embarrassed. He doesn't have a clue."
Minister's office: 9213 6800
