Anthony Albanese will commit $440m towards better ventilation, building upgrades and mental health in schools if he wins the election, labelling it something Scott Morrison should have already done.
The Opposition Leader will take a brutal swipe against the Prime Minister in an address to the National Press Club on Tuesday, calling his government the “slackest in living memory”.
Mr Albanese is expected to take aim at Mr Morrison for failing to deliver a national back-to-school plan, before making his own huge election promise, which would involve schools deciding where the money is most needed.
Under the $440m pledge, schools would be able to accexjmtzywss grants to improve air quality by buying air purifiers, building more outdoor classrooms or replacing boarded-up windows.
“This is something the Morrison government should have already been doing to make sure schools are safe for our kids and teachers to return to,” Mr Albanese will say.
“The states have done a great job in picking up the slack of the slackest government in living memory.”
Mr Albanese will outline that money could also go to upgrading facilities – including new and refurbished school buildings and trades training centres.
Schools could also allocate the money towards extra counsellors and psychologists, school camps, excursions or sporting and social activities.
“Every Australian school stands to benefit from this investment. And the schools themselves will decide how to use the extra money to best help their students,” Mr Albanese will say.
“Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly tells us that Covid will be with us for some time, so we need to act and adapt.
“(It) means making our schools safer and better prepared for what is ahead; Scott Morrison apparently can’t think as far ahead as next week, but Labor is planning for the future.”
Mr Albanese will also say Australia Day this Wednesday is a good moment to “reflect”.
“To consider our blessings as a nation and celebrate them,” he will say.
“Perhaps that is more important now than it has been for decades.”
He believes there are five main lessons learnt from the pandemic, including that more things should be made in Australia rather than overseas.
“To be more self-reliant and to back Australian businesses, so our fate isn’t held hostage to global supply chains,” he will say.
The others will include a strong public health care system, a high-quality NBN and affordable childcare.
“An Australia with rising living standards across the board, lifted by more secure work, better wages, stronger Medicare and cheaper childcare,” he will say.
