Election games for playground politicians

AN OPPOSITION candidate has challenged his Labor counterpart to match the Liberals’ $250 million commitment to clear the school maintenance backlog.
Monbulk Liberal candidate Clive Larkman threw down the gauntlet to Monbulk MP James Merlino last week, citing The Basin Primary School as a school in need.
“The Liberals’ funding will mean schools such as The Basin Primary School have adequate money to improve their facilities and maintain a first class education system,” he said.
But Mr Merlino asked whether Mr Larkman had muddled his figures, pointing to a Liberal policy that said the Opposition was pledging $200 million.
“Is it $200 million or $250 million?” he said. “Is Clive making up the difference?”
Mr Merlino said the Bracks Government had spent an average of $60 million a year – $240 million over its last term – on maintenance, in addition to $1.6 billion on capital works.
Mr Merlino said The Basin Primary School had recently received funds of $71,000 for refurbishment of student toilets and $129,500 for school fire services works, on top of a maintenance grant of $15,000.
But David Wright, school council president, recently complained the school was caught in a funding loophole that denied it cash required to fix leaking roofs, old paintwork and uneven asphalt surfaces.
Mr Wright said he would welcome any money that would help clear the school’s backlog.
“If there’s money available and they’re able to release it, that’s fantastic,” he said.
But Mr Wright wanted the State Government to do more to undo what he sees as the school’s disadvantage.
“We want to think the Government has the flexibility to see what’s right and what’s wrong,” he said. “Regardless of the laws there’s always something glaringly obvious that needs to be done.”