GOVERNMENT REFUSES TO REPLACE BURNT CLASSROOMS

1st February 2010

The Brumby Labor Government has refused to replace two portable classrooms damaged in an arson attack in mid-January. State Member for Ferntree Gully Nick Wakeling today said that it was an appalling act by the Minister for Education to refuse to replace classrooms damaged by fire.

"It is the Heany Park community, the students, teachers and parents that will suffer from this appalling decision," Mr Wakeling said.

"The school year has just begun, and now the school is two classrooms short and the Government is refusing to replace them.

"It's a shocking decision that will leave the Heany Park community disadvantaged.

"It is disgraceful that classrooms destroyed by an act of arson are not being replaced," Mr Wakeling said.

"It is clear that the Brumby Labor Government does not care about people in Knox. Premier Brumby can find millions of dollars to spend on fairy lights on the West Gate Bridge, but can't find funds to provide classrooms for students in Rowville.

"I will be raising this with the Minister for Education in Parliament, and will be urging her to reverse this decision and replace the destroyed classrooms.

"Further, there is a petition at my office calling on the Legislative Assembly to reverse the decision and replace the destroyed buildings. I encourage everyone to sign the petition in order to send a strong message to the Brumby Labor Government," Mr Wakeling said.

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