Abbott breaks promise on education

Media Release

OFFICE OF THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

Shadow Education Minister Yvette D’Ath said Tony Abbott’s budget of broken promises will hammer education services in Queensland.
“The Opposition has grave concerns about the future of education in this state given the deep cuts to the sector in Queensland from the Newman and Abbott Governments,” Ms D’Ath said.
“No-one will forget Mr Abbott’s solemn pre-election promise when he said there’d be no cuts to education."
“By slashing $80 billion out of health and education, the Abbott Government is saying they want nothing to do with helping educate our kids into the future."
“By walking away from education, the Federal Government’s decision will negatively impact upon Queensland’s capacity for productivity for decades to come."
“That’s after claiming that the Liberals had joined Labor on a ‘unity ticket’ when it came to delivering the Gonski recommendations."
“It didn’t help that Campbell Newman did everything he possibly could to steer the prime minister away from Gonski."
“The Premier’s refusal to sign up for Gonski has opened the door for the Abbott Government to walk away from its election commitments on education, and Tony Abbott has charged through. The changes to indexation arrangements will leave states like Queensland to fend for themselves when it comes to education funding, something not sustainable for a state with a growing population."
“It’s not just schools that will be hit, but university and VET students are going to be hit with higher fees and less financial assistance, while job seekers will now have to wait 6 months to be eligible for the Newstart allowance."
“Tony Abbott’s cuts are going to be felt by Queenslanders from prep students, to apprentices and jobseekers right across the state."

“All these measures will make it harder for Queenslanders to get an education and get a job, weakening our future prosperity.”