Education

Education is the key to our future prosperity. I visit the schools in our region as often as possible to meet staff, students and parents and I serve on the Council of the University of New England. We have achieved record capital funding for school maintenance and upgrades and funding for much needed facilities such as a new school hall for Newling Public School in Armidale and a gymnasium at Guyra Central School. There is also a major $4.5 million upgrade of the Armidale TAFE to improve facilities and provide better services for the community.

We are still fighting for the review of the unpopular School Staffing Formula which disadvantages smaller country schools. Great results have come from the introduction of Years 11 and 12 at the Emmaville, Bundarra and Ashford Central Schools. I strongly believe in a well funded public education system and am concerned to see it eroded through current Federal Government policy. We need to continue to attract the best and brightest teachers to the public system and ensure that the pay and conditions are at a high standard.