FAMILIES at Eaglehawk Primary School will be hit hard by Premier Denis Napthine’s decision to cut their Education Maintenance Allowance payment, according to Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan.
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“The EMA is a vital payment to families on a low income to help them out with the cost of essential education items like books, stationery, uniforms and excursions," Ms Allan said.
“The EMA payment has long been on Denis Napthine’s hit list.
"In 2012, his Liberal National Government cut the EMA paid to schools.
"From 2015 the EMA will be abolished all together.
“The EMA makes a big difference for schools like Eaglehawk Primary School.
"At this school, 85 per cent of parents receive the EMA.
"In a little over 12 months, this support will disappear thanks to Denis Napthine.
“It says a lot about Denis Napthine’s priorities when he cuts funding to low income families and schools, yet is prepared to pour $8 billion into a tunnel in inner Melbourne."
Ms Allan made the comments on Wednesday to coincide with Dr Napthine's visit to the school.
Dr Napthine and Minister for Education Martin Dixon officially opened the school's $2 million renovations.
“When Denis Napthine visits Eaglehawk Primary School today he needs to explain to parents why he is making it harder for them to send their children to school," Ms Allan said on Wednesday.
“There is a real risk that students will be forced to miss out activities as a result of this cut.”
Dr Napthine responded to Ms Allan's comments during a press conference.
"We can see here at Eaglehawk a school that the Labor Party wanted to close, a school that the Labor party wanted to deny local education for the people of Eaglehawk. " he said.
"And under the Coalition Government you've got a $2 million investment that's completely refurbished and retained the heritage.
"This is a magnificent outcome for Eaglehawk and the people of Eaglehawk and symbolically this is the same across the state of Victoria.
"We struck an agreement with the previous Labor Government federally for a $12.2 billion increase in funding for education across the state.
"So we're increasing funding for capital works, we're increasing funding for recurrent funding under the Better Schools Plan.
"So 11 years of Labor and you've got a Coalition Government that's now committed to education.
"It's putting its money where its mouth is with record funding for primary and secondary education," Dr Napthine said.
