THE HON BILL SHORTEN MP
LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
MEMBER FOR MARIBYRNONG

KATE ELLIS MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR EDUCATION
SHADOW MINISTER FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD
MEMBER FOR ADELAIDE

MEDIA RELEASE

TONY ABBOTT’S BROKEN PROMISE ON SCHOOLS FUNDING

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has today broken his pre-election promise that no school will be worse off under a Coalition Government.

Before the election, Mr Abbott said:

As far as I am concerned, as far as Christopher Pyne is concerned, as far as the Coalition is concerned, we want to end the uncertainty by guaranteeing that no school will be worse off over the forward estimates period. So, we will honour the agreements that Labor has entered into. We will match the offers that Labor has made. We will make sure that no school is worse off.

(Press Conference – Melbourne 2 August 2013 - Attached)
Before the election, Education Minister Christopher Pyne said:

"No school will be worse off, whether it is a Liberal or Labor government in the next term."

(Sydney Morning Herald - 16 August 2013)

This morning, Mr Abbott was asked whether he would honour that commitment:

Question: You’re guaranteeing that no individual school will be worse off?

Abbott: No - what we’re saying is we will absolutely honour our pre-election commitment and our pre-election commitment was there would be exactly the same quantum of funding under the Coalition as under the Labor party.

(Press Conference – Melbourne – Today, 27 November 2013)

By breaking his pre-election promise, the Prime Minister is leaving no doubt whatsoever that schools and students will be worse off under his Government.

Tony Abbott and Christopher Pyne told the Australian people there was a ‘unity ticket’ when it came to school funding.

We now know this was a lie.

This is not the Government they told the Australian people they would be.

Labor will fight this broken promise alongside State Premiers, whether they’re Liberal or Labor, and anyone else who wants better education for our kids.

MEDIA CONTACT: (SHORTEN) LEADERS OFFICE MEDIA UNIT 02 6277 4053
(ELLIS) HANNAH MACLEOD 0437 526 210