EMMA HUSAR MP

FEDERAL MEMBER FOR LINDSAY

$21 MILLION KICK IN THE GUTS FOR LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS

As thousands of local children return to school this week, new figures confirm public schools in Lindsay will be $21million worse off, thanks to funding cuts by the Turnbull Government.

Federal Member for Lindsay, Emma Husar MP said the figures released by the Parliamentary Budget Office confirmed that every public school in Lindsay would be worse off.

“This has to be the worst back-to-school present ever!” said Ms Husar.

“A $21 million funding cut is just a slap in the face to every family who has a child attending a public school in our area,” she said.

“We know the impact on our children will be huge. Test results show Australian students are slipping behind the rest of the world.

“That is why Labor will restore every dollar the Liberals have cut in order to get every school up to its fair funding level.

“The Government claims it is increasing spending on schools but they’re using Tony Abbott’s 2014 budget where he announced a $30 billion cut, as a baseline,” Ms Husar said.

“They’re reversing some of those measures but it’s still a cut compared to the original funding arrangement.”

“The PBO figures show that schools in this state are losing $856 million over the next two years alone,” Ms Husar said. “That’s the equivalent of sacking 8,890 teachers – or 3 teachers from every school in NSW. And nationally, more than 80% of the cuts fall on public schools”

“Last year I managed to visit almost every school in Lindsay. Every single public school was worried about how those cuts would affect their students. Every single school had to think about what resource to get rid of,” she said.

“More money means more teachers and more individual attention for every student,” Ms Husar said. “Education is a priority for Labor because we believe getting a great education shouldn’t be determined by your postcode or your parent’s bank account”

“A great education is a ticket to a lifetime of opportunity. It’s a ticket every child deserves,” Ms Husar said.

MONDAY, 29 JANUARY 2018

Federal Member Lindsay, Emma Husar MP, today called for Expressions of Interest for small capital projects to improve local community participation and contribute to social benefit of the Lindsay community.

“I have the opportunity to nominate up to 20 local projects to share in $150,000, under Round 3 of the Stronger Communities Grants Program,” Ms Husar said.

Individual grants of between $2,500 and $20,000 are on offer, based on a 50/50 funding arrangement.

Examples of eligible projects include upgrades or fit-outs of community centres, sporting facility upgrades, purchase of equipment, and upgrading of park furniture.

“The contributions made by our local not-for-profit organisations and local government agencies are invaluable to our community and I hope this program can be of assistance to the important work they do,” Ms Husar said.

“I encourage them to put their hand up for a share of the funding.”

Grants will be provided for amounts equal to 50 percent of the eligible project cost. Applicants can match the funding in cash or in kind. Projects must not be underway already, and should be scheduled for completion by 30 June 2018.

Eligible organisations interested in applying can complete an online Expression of Interest form available at www.emmahusar.com.au before COB Friday 4 August.

After that, a committee will review applications that best fit the grant guidelines and they will be invited to make a full application.

Ms Husar encouraged organisations to visit her website www.emmahusar.com.au for further details to ensure they and any proposed projects meet eligibility guidelines.

Click here to apply

DATE: 24 JULY 2017

MEDIA CONTACT: JEREMY ANDERSON - 0474 563 401