The WA opposition is claiming victory after the state government set aside almost $40 million for targeted upgrades and maintenance in public schools.
The funding is to be made available following the repeal of the Public Education Endowment Act 1909.
Education Minister Sabine Winton said the funding is a significant investment in the future of public education in Western Australia.
“The Public Education Endowment Trust was established over a century ago with a clear purpose, to support our public schools,” she said.
“Today we’re honouring that legacy by ensuring almost $40 million flows directly to real, tangible improvements for public schools right across Western Australia.”
According to the state government, the funds will be held in reserve for public schools until the Public Education Endowment Repeal Bill 2025 passes parliament.
However, when the Public Education Endowment Repeal Bill 2025 was first debated in parliament last year, the Opposition said it brought on amendments to protect the Trust’s $36 million in assets and ensure they were used for their original purpose, supporting public schools.
Shadow Education Minister Liam Staltari said the government rejected the opposition’s proposal at the time, arguing the Trust’s assets were “not a viable mechanism to supplement funding for education”, and refusing to guarantee the money would actually go to schools.
“All the while for the last 12 months, schools have been dealing with the more than 10,000 maintenance defects and crying out for support,” Staltari said.
“Today, they have been forced into a complete reversal and adopt the position of the Opposition put forward in May last year. This is an abject backflip – and it should never have taken 12 months to get here.
“For a century, this trust was intended for one purpose and one purpose only – funding public education. That promise has finally been honoured, only because the Opposition stood up and fought for it and for school communities.”
According to the state government, the Trust has assets worth approximately $40 million but has not used these assets or received any income for several years.
The most recent round of grants approved by the Trust was in 2013, which included funding for university research projects. Other examples of grants previously approved by the Trust range from scholarships to the purchase of a sailing ship.
The government said its latest commitment will ensure that the assets can be used where they are needed most, including transferring land held in Fremantle from the Trust to the State Government, so it can be considered for future development opportunities.
Planning and Lands Minister John Carey said the move was a win-win – delivering a boost in maintenance for schools and providing more housing opportunities in the longer term.
“The Cook Labor Government is investing record amounts in social housing and affordable rentals and to unlock land for new housing,” he said.
“This transfer presents another opportunity to build more homes in Fremantle.”
Staltari said the announcement was good news for teachers, parents and students, but long overdue.
“Ask any teacher, principal or parent what $40 million will mean for their school, and they will tell you – it could be transformational,” he said.
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