Every public school across the Macarthur region will be air-conditioned if Labor wins the next election.
Local Labor MPs and candidates have welcomed the commitment made by opposition leader Luke Foley today in his 2018 Budget reply.
“I’m proud to report that under Labor every school in our region will receive air-conditioning,’’ says State Member for Campbelltown Greg Warren.
“I am committed to ensuring every student has access to the best possible education, and this announcement will ensure all of our kids have access to comfortable learning environments.
“How can you expect a child to receive a first rate education in a second rate classroom – today’s announcement delivers better conditions for our children’s future,” Mr Warren said.
Labor candidate for Camden Sally Quinnell also backed Mr Foley’s announcement.
“Every teacher and student in Camden knows what it’s like in a classroom on a hot summer’s day,’’ she said.
“Labor’s commitment to air-conditioning every school shows the value we place on supporting students in Camden.
“Our existing schools are over-crowded and our promised new schools are years behind schedule, but this latest Budget from the Liberal Government does nothing to address that.
“Only Labor will be a strong voice for Camden and will prioritise our local schools ahead of stadiums in the Eastern Suburbs and tunnels to the Northern Beaches,” Ms Quinell said.
Mr Foley announced that Labor would add its $300 million Cool Schools policy to the $500 million allocated in the State Budget to bring the total to an unprecedented $800 million to provide better learning environments for school students.
School Infrastructure NSW will be tasked with the delivery of school air-conditioning while solar panels will be utilised to help off-set the running cost to each school.
Each school will be audited to determine their individual needs.
