Three local primary schools, Bairnsdale, Bundalaguah and Lindenow, are set to receive funding for badly needed toilet refurbishments for students.

Nationals MP for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said he had recently been in discussions around the diminishing of facilities at a number of local schools and congratulated the three in question on their successful advocacy.

“While I certainly am pleased these upgrades are being delivered, given the plumbing is obviously already connected and these are listed as ‘refurbishments’ only, the amounts allocated have raised a few eyebrows,” Mr Bull said.

“Bairnsdale Primary School will receive $499,945, Bundalaguah $425,366 and Lindenow $498,795 and, while I am delighted the issues will be fixed and no doubt be modern when completed, one can basically build two three-bedroom homes for half a million dollars in the private market.

“On face value, it appears just another case of government (and therefore taxpayers) being charged more.

“My concern sits with the fact that when this is duplicated across all the schools in Victoria getting work done, it is a big figure.

“With a debt to hit $187 billion and interest repayments of $26 million per day (more than $1m per hour), the Allan Labor Government should be looking wisely at using every dollar it expends.

“We are in a situation where our local hospitals are being asked to cut budgets and our roads are falling to pieces and without questioning the need for these refurbishments to be completed, the costs seem exorbitant,” he said.

Monday, 9 December 2024