Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Bill Shorten today officially opened new classrooms and a multipurpose area at The Basin Primary School.

 Minister Shorten congratulated the 132 year old school on their new facilities and spoke of the benefit to both the school and local community.

 Expansions like these are great examples of the BER program making a real difference to schools and their communities,” Mr Shorten said.

 “These classrooms and multipurpose area were built as part of the Gillard Government’s Building the Education Revolution (BER) –the largest school building program in Australia’s history,” Mr Shorten said.

 The program was a $16.2 billion investment in the nation’s future and is delivering modern facilities including halls, libraries, science labs and classrooms to almost 9500 schools in every suburb, town and community across Australia.

 Federal Member for La Trobe, Laura Smyth, said the new multipurpose area is already in full use by the school with plans for community use underway too.

 “I’ve seen firsthand what difference improvements like this are making to schools across the country. For a school this old it means they can continue to expand and grow for years to come.

 “It is infrastructure like this that should be highlighted to opponents of the program, as the whole community in The Basin is benefiting from these improvements.”

Mr Shorten said so far, more than $110 million has been invested in schools in La Trobe under the BER program, with 118 projects funded.

“These facilities are an investment in our future and will deliver better education outcomes for all students.

 “Feedback shows more than 90 per cent of principals believe the BER has delivered projects that schools and communities want and need, and after speaking with the principal here I know this school is no different.

 “It is great to hear each year group now has their own class space, interactive whiteboards and a multi-purpose area to rehearse for the school’s Wakakirri dance program.”