THE HON BILL SHORTEN MP

Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations

Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation

 THE HON PETER GARRETT MP

Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth

 

Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Bill Shorten and Minister for School Education Peter Garrett today announced funding to support the former pupils of the Queensland School for Travelling Show Children.

 The Gillard Government will provide $210,000 and has brokered an agreement with the Queensland, NSW and Victorian Governments to ensure two mobile classrooms and teaching staff can continue to serve the Australian travelling show families.

 “The Queensland Campbell Newman Liberal Government closed the Queensland School for Travelling Show Children in September 2012,” Mr Shorten said.

 “They travelled through Victoria, NSW and Queensland with two mobile classrooms that were specifically designed for use by the travelling show community and were upgraded with Australian Government BER funding in 2010.

 “Since the closure, families have been forced to either rely on distance education from caravans or motels, or they have had to split their families up to keep children in a local school.”

 Mr Garrett said the funding will help keep families together while they travel to work at major shows and regional fairs.

 “After ongoing discussions, the Queensland, NSW and Victorian Governments have all chipped in to keep these unique mobile classrooms on the road,” Mr Garrett said.

 “The funding will also provide kids with teaching and tutoring support while they are on the road and make sure the families can stay together as they travel the country for our iconic shows and fairs.

 Mr Shorten said now the community can get the classrooms back on the road so their kids are in an environment best suited to learning.

 “We want to give these families some peace of mind that they will be looked after following the attacks and cutbacks of the Newman Liberal Government,” he said.

 “The wellbeing of the community is important to us and it’s why we have fought long and hard since funding was cut to ensure access to education for these students.”

 Minister Shorten’s Media Contact: Sam Casey 0421 697 660

Minister’s Garrett Media Contact: Kate Sullivan 0409 490 741

DEEWR Media: [email protected]