Budget Myth - 'Expanding Indigenous Education Programs'

Wayne Berry - Opposition Spokesperson on Education

Media Statement - 31 May 2000

Labor Shadow Education Minister Wayne Berry has described a highlight of the Carnell Government's Budget 2000 on indigenous education as a myth and debunked the government's 'building social capital' as sloganeering.

In the Department of Education and Community Services '2000-2001 Highlights', the budget suggests that indigenous education programs will be expanded. "This is grossly misleading," Mr Berry said.

"Even the quickest skimming of the ACT budget papers will reveal that there is no new money in the Education budget to fund any new initiatives.

"And the Minister admitted this in the ACT Legislative Assembly Estimates Committee hearings today.

"The claims of expansion are nothing more than a myth and an insult to the community which our schools service.

"It is now clear that the Education Minister is feeling the pressure over criticisms of his performance on indigenous education and felt obliged to include some word in the budget. The problem for the community is that the substance is missing.

"This aspect of the Carnell Government budget is another example where the claim to 'building social capital' falls apart," Mr Berry concluded.