School program drawing to a close

LA TROBE MP Jason Wood says he is appalled that the Investing in Our Schools Program is ending.
The Liberal MP La Trobe said the former government’s $1.2 billion Investing in Our Schools Program was vital.
“This program has had amazing success throughout the electorate of La Trobe and I have been delighted to visit local schools and see new play equipment, upgraded toilet facilities, new lockers, computer rooms and various other essential services,” Mr Wood said.
“I find it appalling that schools in La Trobe will be disadvantaged by the removal of this program and I call on Prime Minister Rudd to reconsider.”
A spokeswoman for Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the Investing in Our Schools Program was first announced as an election commitment by the Liberal Party in 2004 and was due to expire in the 2008 calendar year.
“This end date was confirmed in budget papers in 2006,” she said.
“The Rudd Labor Government is committed to investing $2.1 billion in school infrastructure over the next four years – nearly double the funding provided through the Investing in our Schools program.”
Some of the local schools to benefit under the program included Berwick Lodge Primary School, Brentwood Park Primary School, Kambrya College, Timbarra Primary School, Oatlands Primary School and Narre Warren North Primary School.