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Monday, 09 August 2010 12:24    Print E-mail
FLETCHER CALLS ON GILLARD TO APOLOGISE OVER GORDON EAST PUBLIC SCHOOL

“In March of this year I raised in Parliament with the-then Education Minister, Julia Gillard, serious complaints that had been brought to my attention concerning the costs of the Building the Education Revolution ‘BER’ project at Gordon East Public School.”

 “I raised the fact that the BER buildings at the school were costing around $4,870 per square metre” said Paul Fletcher, Member for Bradfield. 

 “The now-Prime Minister rubbished my concerns and said I should be ‘ashamed’ of raising them.”

"What we now find is that the works at Gordon East are among the 2.7% of BER projects which have been subject to complaints to the BER Implementation Taskforce ‘the Orgill Review’ which has recently produced its Interim Report.

 “The Interim Report has stated:

 ‘…the majority of complaints raise very valid concerns particularly about value for money and the approach to school level involvement in decision making.’

 “The Interim Report specifically lists Gordon East, on page 51, as amongst primary schools in respect of which further action is to be taken, stating ‘costs review to be undertaken’.”

 “It also notes that ‘re-scoping’ has been announced by the NSW DET for Gordon East.”

 “More broadly, the Interim Report has found that projects managed by the NSW Government have been paying the highest average cost per square metre of any projects in the country.”

 “It is now-Prime Minister, Julia Gillard who should be ashamed.  Entirely legitimate concerns have been raised over the BER project at Gordon East Public School.  These concerns have been validated by the Orgill Review which is undertaking a more detailed examination of the project and its costs at the School.”

 “The level of BER waste makes Julia Gillard unfit to be a Minister let alone Prime Minister.  If she can’t manage a $16 billion program properly, how can she be expected to manage a $1.1 trillion economy?”

 “Will Julia Gillard now apologise for her cavalier disregard for the legitimate concerns of the people of Bradfield?”

 

Media contact: Darren Bark, Paul Fletcher’s Office 02 9465 3950
 
Monday, 05 July 2010 00:00    Print E-mail
FLETCHER CALLS ANTI-SEMITIC RESPONSE TO ERUV ‘DISTURBING’

“The emergence of anti-semitic comments in relation to the Northern Eruv proposal in St Ives is very disturbing”, said Paul Fletcher, Member for Bradfield. 

St Ives falls within the federal electorate of Bradfield.

Mr Fletcher said he had looked at ‘A Current Affair’s’ website and was shocked to see some of the foolish and offensive comments posted there – generally of course without the full name and address of the person posting the comment.

“The possible construction of the Northern Eruv is to be considered by Ku-ring-gai Council as a planning matter,” Mr Fletcher said.

“Council should make this decision on the merits of the planning issues involved.

“It must consider the visual amenity of the new construction proposed. 

“As I understand it from public statements, some 85% of the Eruv will comprise existing facilities such as electricity and telecommunications cables.  Council will need to consider the impact of the new elements.

“Council should also consider the public amenity which the development would offer.

 “As I understand it, Orthodox Jews would be able to carry out certain activities on the Sabbath within the bounds of the Eruv which would otherwise be prohibited under their faith – such as pushing young children in strollers.

“Whenever a council considers a development, it must weigh up a range of factors – and that is what Ku-ring-gai Council must do here.

“There is no place in this decision making process for offensive anti-semitic sentiment.”

Media contact: Darren Bark, Paul Fletcher’s Office 02 9465 3950

 
 
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