New school promise defended

By Lia Bichel
A LIBERAL candidate has hit back at claims the Coalition would not deliver a secondary school in Narre Warren North.
Last week, Narre Warren North Liberal candidate Michelle Frazer and Shadow Education Minister Martin Dixon announced they would build a separate Years 7 to 12 Secondary College at Timbarra in Narre Warren North if the Liberal Nationals Coalition was elected this month.
They said the Coalition’s plan would deliver certainty and improved future education opportunities for families.
But Narre Warren North Labor MP Luke Donnellan said he did not believe the Liberal Party could be trusted to deliver the goods.
“I have a strong record in delivering new schools and new sporting facilities for the Berwick community,” Mr Donnellan said.
“The only funding announced by the Liberals is for planning – once again they have not costed this promise and they just can’t be trusted to deliver.”
But Ms Frazer said the Liberal National Coalition was committed to start building Timbarra Secondary College in 2011.
“We will start building the year 7-9 facilities in 2011 and at the same time, we will commence the planning for year 10-12 facilities which will be ready for students in our second term of government,” she said.
“We will deliver what Labor and Luke Donnellan promised to do over and over again, but failed. As a mother, I understand that parents want and deserve certainty about their children’s education and I will ensure they will not have to wait any longer.
“The secondary college facilities will be adjacent to the primary school but separate, as the community has indicated is its preference.”
“This secondary college is what the community want, need and deserve and only a Liberal National Coalition government can be trusted to deliver.”