Ian Goodenough (Moore, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm pleased to announce that schools in Moore will collectively benefit from $200,000 in federal funding under the Local Schools Community Fund, which is open to all public, independent and Catholic schools within the electorate. Schools may use the funding for both capital and non-capital projects, with each school being eligible to apply for one project to be funded from $1,000 up to $20,000. Projects may include small-scale building extensions, refurbishments or the purchase of computers, electronic learning aids, playground and sporting equipment, air conditioning and other student amenities. An independent advisory committee will assess the applications on merit and allocate the funding.

There are 59 local schools in Moore. During my visits to a number of local schools, the need for funding for very worthy improvements was brought to my attention by both staff and parents. This program gives all schools, both public and private, the opportunity to access federal funding to improve the educational amenities provided to local students, above and beyond the fundraising efforts of our local school communities through their parents and citizens associations. The Local Schools Community Fund complements the government's Stronger Communities Program, which similarly funds small-scale projects.