Wednesday, 6 March 2024

Public Accounts and Estimates Committee

Report on the 2023–24 Budget Estimates

David SOUTHWICK (Caulfield) (10:27): I rise to make a contribution on the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee Report on the 2023–24 Budget Estimates, particularly to deal with recommendation 15 and chapter 4.3, page 54, looking at the government’s capital spend on the Department of Education. The issues that I particularly want to raise relate back to my electorate of Caulfield and some of the schools, particularly around that capital funding.

I do note that there has been discussion around Caulfield South Primary School and, as part of that, some funding for that school to the nature of $10 million for upgrading facilities in that school, including a multipurpose gymnasium, basketball court, STEM centre and the like. That was part of the budget; it was allocated as part of the funding. That money has not come forward, so there are still question marks about that, particularly when looking at ensuring that there is – as recommendation 15 talks about – funding certainty and transparency. The money was announced; the school is still wondering when they are actually going to get that funding. I know Caulfield South are still in the dark in terms of their funding. There was a report just in the last 24 hours about the disrepair of many of our public schools at the moment. Particularly when it comes to the budget and looking at that funding, it is one thing to promise something, but you have got to deliver it.

I note Caulfield Junior College has a similar scenario. Caulfield Junior College has a prep student Selena. When it comes to funding, I know there is discussion about things like disability, especially ensuring our schools are brought up to standard from a disability and accessibility viewpoint. Selena is a prep student. Her French parents Karl and Nathalie signed her up to Caulfield Junior College because it offers a bilingual education-based French program. Selena presents with the condition spastic diplegia, impacting both her motor skills and her visuospatial skills. She uses a wheelchair to accommodate her mobility needs. In Selena’s case, her parents have highlighted to me that the school’s leadership have done everything they can to accommodate her needs, and this is about funding the basic things that you expect from a government. She is unable to operate effectively in that school.

The school’s infrastructure has not received the investment to accommodate that particular student’s disability. Key observations of the school’s environment, including of accessibility of upper floors, where some classes, tests and library classes take place, note the need for a lift, which is not available in that school. An accessible playground has been compromised due to the soft fall. Park benches and seating areas – Selena cannot have lunch with her peers. There is a need for rest areas. Selena can become fatigued more than other students. Accessibility of bathrooms – the sinks are inaccessible. It just goes on in terms of having a school that is compliant and having a school that is welcoming.

I want to give a shout-out to the school principal, to the board, to everybody at Caulfield Junior College that is doing absolutely everything they possibly can to make Selena and her family feel welcome. But you cannot do the work if you do not have the money and you do not have the support. This government has not provided the funding for Caulfield Junior College. There is no disability parking on the school grounds for Nathalie to be able to transport Selena to and from school. We should not be limiting the options and opportunities of students with a disability. Again, the Treasurer has not accommodated it, especially in this particular report in terms of that funding. I know we have got a budget coming up. There will be an opportunity for the Treasurer I hope to be able to incorporate a lot of the funding needed by Caulfield Junior College in the next budget so that for Selena it is disability compliant and is able to offer those kinds of facilities for Selena and her family. It is the same for, as I mentioned, Caulfield South Primary School and many of the schools in my area. Public schools need funding. Certainly schools in my electorate of Caulfield are missing out, and I urge the Treasurer to fund these schools that are desperately in disrepair in my electorate of Caulfield.