APPA Supports the Australian Government's Stimulus Package

The Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA) today reiterated its strong support for the Federal Government's $14.7 billion investment for Australia's 9,200 schools. The Government's economic stimulus package will provide a $12.4 billion boost for large scale buildings and $1.3 billion for refurbishing and renewal. Under the Government's refurbishing program, every Australian school will receive up to $200,000 for maintenance and minor building works. The magnitude and scope of the Federal Government's capital investment is unprecedented, APPA President Leonie Trimper said today. Click here to download the media release (100Kb pdf file).

Text of the media release:

The Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA) today reiterated its strong support for the Federal Government’s $14.7 billion investment for Australia’s 9,200 schools.

The Government’s economic stimulus package will provide a $12.4 billion boost for large scale buildings and $1.3 billion for refurbishing and renewal. Under the Government’s refurbishing program, every Australian school will receive up to $200,000 for maintenance and minor building works.

“The magnitude and scope of the Federal Government’s capital investment is unprecedented”, APPA President Leonie Trimper said today.

While acknowledging that there have been some recent media reports exposing difficulties with the implementation of the package, APPA today said this has overwhelmingly been the responsibility of individual States and Territories.

“As I’ve said before, primary schools have been waiting for decades for an investment of this size. Of course we support the right building project for the right school and where this does not occur questions should be asked of the States/Territory’s implementation program, but overwhelmingly this package is helping to ensure that all primary students are educated in quality facilities.”

“We need to keep the problems that have been raised in perspective because, for the majority of principals, this is a really positive initiative and is working well.”

APPA represents approximately 7,200 primary school principals across both the government and non-government sectors. Based on the Government’s figures, more than 3,200 primary schools have already had funding allocated to them.

Media contact: Leonie Trimper - President, Australian Primary Principals Association Mobile: 0412 177 621