Page 2793 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 13 August 2019
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We are not just building new schools. We are expanding already existing schools to ensure that school communities are able to stay strong as our suburbs grow. Through this budget, Franklin Early Childhood School will continue to expand to cater for students from preschool all the way to year six by 2021. I know that families in Franklin are pleased that we are making this important investment that will mean students can stay at the same school for their entire primary school education.
The 2019-20 budget also invests in our local high schools and colleges. Gold Creek senior campus will be expanded to keep up with growth in that area of Gungahlin. We will expand the teaching and support facilities at Gungahlin College with new teaching spaces, administration areas and a science laboratory. Work on these improvements at Gungahlin College is underway and is expected to be completed in time for the start of next year.
These major infrastructure investments in Gungahlin schools are part of our government’s commitment to public education and ensuring that Canberra children and young people have access to quality public schools close to home. Of course, all these investments build on the commitment this government made last year to begin growing our local schools for the future. We have seen the benefit of our planned 400 additional places across Gungahlin schools and the opening of Margaret Hendry School in Taylor.
We will continue to invest in the necessary infrastructure for school population growth, but the investment does not stop at buildings and classrooms. In addition to our school infrastructure investments, we are investing in teachers and support staff that are needed for Canberra school students. The ACT government will hire the equivalent of 92 teachers and learning support assistants for 2019-20 and beyond. These teachers and staff play a key role in preparing young Canberrans for their future. It is our responsibility as a government to ensure that they are given the best possible support to do their jobs.
ACT public school teachers will be the best paid in the country as a result of Minister Berry and the Australian Education Union working together on a new enterprise agreement. I am proud that it is this ACT government that is leading the country in the value we place on our public school teachers. Our government’s future of education strategy will also continue to strengthen educational outcomes across the ACT. The strategy sets the direction for high quality teaching and learning within our ACT public schools, to be achieved through collaborative learning and the development of cohesive relationships between schools, communities and the government.
The 2019-20 budget delivers on our education election commitments and ensures that every young person in Canberra has a place at a great local public school. Canberrans can trust that ACT Labor will always invest in Canberra’s students, their teachers and support staff. That is exactly what this year’s budget does. I am pleased to support our 2019-20 budget investments in education. I know that the Yerrabi community does too.
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