I strongly believe that providing our children with the best education possible is the most effective way of leading Australia forward.
If we want Australia to be the most dynamic nation, the most creative nation and the most productive nation, we have to ensure Australia is the smartest nation.
Education is a key concern for many of my constituents. Many of them are university students, graduates, lecturers and teachers, parents of students or just people who are concerned about the skills shortages.
Building the Education Revolution
A total of 89 projects across Chisholm’s 46 schools have been announced as part of the Government’s Building the Education Revolution program, amounting to a $82,310,000 investment in our local schools.
This is an unprecedented investment in the infrastructure of our schools and will ensure students and teachers are learning and operating in 21st Century facilities.
The funding includes:
· Between $250,000 and $3,000,000 for every primary school in Chisholm to construct new facilities such as libraries and multipurpose halls. Total funding amount: $73,440,000
· Between $50,000 and $200,000 for every Chisholm school to undertake construction of small scale infrastructure and minor refurbishment projects. Total funding amount: $6,900,000
· Funding to secondary schools with a demonstrated need to construct science laboratories or language centres. Total funding amount: $1,970,000
Higher Education
Chisholm is home to four quality higher education institutions – Monash University Clayton Campus, Deakin University Burwood Campus, Box Hill Institute of TAFE and GippsTAFE Chadstone campus – all of which receive significant financial support from the Rudd Government.
I’m delighted that a number of local projects have recently been successful in their funding applications under the Government’s Education Investment Fund:
· Monash University will receive $89.9 million to construct the New Horizons Centre – a vital component of the university’s vision to develop the Clayton Innovation Precinct as the most significant technology innovation hub in the Southern Hemisphere. It will also recieve $29.1 million for the construction of a new four story research and teaching facility focussed on chemistry innovation in the green economy.
· GippsTAFE Chadstone Training Centre will receive $16.2 million for new facilities that will provide up-to-date training resources and infrastructure, enabling training, collaborative research and the development of new technologies and equipment for the energy and utilities industries.
