Campaign Media Release MEMBER FOR BRADDON RURAL SCHOOLS TO BENEFIT FROM EXTENSION OF SCHOOL CHAPLAINCY PROGRAM Member for Braddon Sid Sidebottom today welcomed the Gillard Labor Government’s pledge to extend the National School Chaplaincy Program, which will benefit more rural and remote schools. A re-elected Gillard Labor Government will include up to 1,000 additional schools across Australia in the program. Until now, some schools in rural, remote and disadvantaged locations missed out. These students often don’t have access to the same pastoral care services as city schools and this additional funding will help to ensure they share the benefi ts. This could include developing cluster models or pooled funding, to ensure a chaplain or pastoral care worker in a rural area has sufficient funding to service a number of schools. In addition, a re-elected Gillard Labor Government will give funding certainty for a further three years to around 2,700 schools already benefiting from the services of a chaplain. Chaplains and pastoral care workers provide general personal advice, comfort and support to students and staff, regardless of their religious denomination or religious beliefs. They can also help to build the sense of community in the schools, support the school ethos and provide additional support for vulnerable children. “Our schools are at the heart of our communities and I welcome the extension of this program, to help support more students and teachers,” Mr Sidebottom said. “I have had so much positive feedback about the work of chaplains in local schools, and have seen some of this first-hand.
“The Gillard Labor Government is committed to providing more opportunities in education, including better support through the School Chaplaincy Program, as well as Trade Training Centres and computers in schools. “In contrast, Tony Abbott would make education cuts – including cutting Trade Training Centres and cut computers in schools. “The Coalition is a risk to our schools and a risk to Federal Labor’s plans to deliver more opportunities in education.” The Gillard Labor Government will provide $222 million for this commitment. Funding will be fully offset over the forward estimates, consistent with Federal Labor’s commitment to return the budget to surplus in 2013, three years ahead of schedule.
8 AUGUST 2010 Contacts: Luke Sayer 0458 311 355 Authorised by Sid Sidebottom, 2/32 Wilmot St, Burnie 7320