The clock is ticking for Education Minister Lauren Moss to step up and make comment in
relation to the ICAC’s findings of fraud at Milingimbi school, and the warning that similar
practices could be occurring at other remote schools.
Shadow Education Minister, Jo Hersey, said the Minister’s neglect of remote schools is
alarming.
“Three weeks have passed since ICAC’s scathing review into Milingimbi school was
published, yet Minister Moss hasn’t bothered to front up and back her Department and its
remote principals,” Mrs Hersey said.
“The report revealed that approximately half-a-million dollars of public funding to educate
some of the Territory’s most disadvantaged children was misappropriated. Not only that,
8000 entries within a departmental system were altered, seemingly to increase the public
funding available to the school for the principal to then rort.
“During the time we’ve been waiting to hear from the Minister, the answers to questions
taken on notice during the Estimates hearings in June have been published and show the
Gunner Labor government has failed in delivering on another of its 2016 election promises.
“The Gunner Labor government promised $300 000 to every school in the Northern
Territory by the 2020-21 financial year.
“However 29 schools across the Territory are still waiting on their $300 000 worth of
Building Better Schools promised works from the Gunner Labor government. That’s 15% of
Territory schools left waiting and shockingly 24 of these schools are in remote areas.
“Our remote schools support some of the Territory’s most disadvantaged families and
children who all deserve better than the Gunner Labor government is delivering.
“It’s time for Education Minister Lauren Moss to realise the Territory extends beyond her
electorate and to immediately end her silence and show her support for our remote
schools.”
ENDS