Labor Candidate for Pine Rivers, Carolyn Male MP today welcomed a funding boost for local schools for capital works and maintenance.

Carolyn Male said a re-elected Bligh Government would allocate the additional funding under the State Schools for Tomorrow program. The funding in the electorate is for:

• In 2008/09 an additional $420,070 will be provided for additional maintenance at Bray Park, Dayboro, Lawnton, Strathpine and Strathpine West State Schools, as well as Bray Park and Pine Rivers State High Schools that will deliver external painting, the upgrading of flooring, gutters and downpipes and other associated external works.

• $1,434,000 over the next three years for upgrades to 13 classrooms at Bray Park State High School and Lawnton and Strathpine West State Schools and an upgrade to the Library at Pine Rivers State High School under the Tomorrow’s Schools Program.

“The government must ensure that we expand and maintain our important education assets,” Carolyn Male said.

“When we are getting 1700 people each week coming to Queensland, it is a huge job to keep up with the phenomenal growth and provide government services.”

“That is why the Bligh Government is continuing with its $17billion capital works program which is creating 119,000 extra jobs.”

“This means not just concentrating on the big projects but the smaller ones in our schools.”

“School maintenance may not get the same public attention as other government services but it is still vital part of the education budget and the well-being of school staff and children.”

“It is one of the service areas which would suffer under Lawrence Springborg’s plans to slash $1billion from government services per year.”

“There is a clear distinction - the Bligh Government is about creating jobs and expanding government services and Lawrence Springborg wants to cut jobs and services.”