ANDREW Barr says a re-elected ACT Labor government will invest further in local schools to make them even better.

ACT Labor has listened to students, teachers and principals – we understand that the best learning happens in a comfortable, modern class room with the best equipment and facilities,” Andrew said.

“That’s why we will invest $100m in school infrastructure upgrades across our city.

“ACT Labor will invest $85m in capital for upgrades to Canberra’s public primary schools, high schools and colleges between 2017-18 and 2020-21. This will build on school infrastructure spending of more than $70m between 2012 to 2016 and will deliver a range of improved facilities.

“The $85m capital upgrade program will deliver upgrades and extensions to existing classrooms, new classrooms, refurbishment of toilets and change rooms, new gardens and horticultural facilities, equipment upgrades and heating and cooling systems and energy efficiency improvements.

“ACT Labor will also respond to the planning and infrastructure pressures facing non-government schools as a result of the Federal Liberal Government’s failure to honour the inter-governmental “Gonski” funding agreement.

“ACT Labor will also allocate infrastructure grant funding of $15m over four years for non-government schools. This funding will be allocated on a needs basis to schools, consistent with the Gonski funding principles and will be provided to undertake infrastructure or facility upgrades.This includes infrastructure upgrades to cater to the needs of children with a disability.

“If Gonski is honoured by the Federal Liberals, as all three school sectors in the ACT support, the needs based funding increases many non government schools have seen in the last two years will continue, which will free up this funding to be reallocated, again on a needs basis, to the public system.

“As part of our school facilities plan, ACT Labor will also provide additional funding of $100,000 for minor works at schools to facilitate easier access for sporting groups, multicultural groups and other community users, building on work carried out in 2016.

“This program will help all Canberrans benefit from the community’s investment in schools and contribute to the growth of schools as hubs in our suburbs.

“ACT Labor has always invested heavily in education, increasing education funding every year we have been in government to a record $1.2 billion in 2016-17. We have worked with our community to build the best education system in Australia and we don’t want the most conservative Liberal branch in Australia to undo this shared achievement.”

UPDATE: The Liberals have been quick off the mark in reply:

Canberrans should be extremely wary of the Barr Government’s education promises, given its failure to deliver on previous school infrastructure commitments over 15 years, Shadow Minister for Education Steve Doszpot said today.

“ACT Labor has a terrible record on education, closing 23 schools and leaving many with decaying infrastructure and serious capacity issues. In 2012 ACT Labor promised $70 million in infrastructure upgrades that haven’t been delivered. Now Andrew Barr has the audacity to make more hollow promises before this election” Mr Doszpot said.

“The Canberra Liberals are clearly leading the way in good policy. Earlier this year, we committed to an $85 million package including $60 million for new infrastructure

and capital upgrades for schools, $17.5 million for kids with special needs in non-government schools and $7.5 million for special schools. We’ve also committed to installing flashing lights for safety at every school in Canberra.

“ACT Labor is chasing our lead on policy, and given its terrible record, cannot be trusted to deliver what our schools need. The Canberra Liberals will deliver a fresh can-do approach in education,” Mr Doszpot concluded.