Schools in Ipswich, the Somerset Region and the Karana Downs region will get a massive funding boost over the next three years with a Labor plan to deliver the biggest investment in state schools in Australian history.

Labor will deliver an extra $14 billion for state schools over the next decade, with $3.3 billion extra flowing in the first three school years alone.

Labor believes Australian schools should be the best in the world.

Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann MP, said Labor’s plan will transform state schools in Blair, so every child gets the best start in life.

“Labor’s record school funding will ensure state schools in Ipswich, the Somerset Region and the Karana Downs region get the funding they need to give students more individual attention, and more help with the basics such as reading, writing, maths, and science,” Mr Neumann said.

“It will allow our state schools to offer a broader range of subjects including languages, coding, the arts, and vocational education.

“And it will support our outstanding teachers to continue to update their skills,” Mr Neumann said.

“Labor believes that for parents in Blair to have real choice about where they send their kids, governments have a responsibility to make sure our state schools are second to none.

“We will give all children the opportunity to reach their full potential – no matter where they live, or how much their parents earn.

“Investing in schools in Ipswich, the Somerset Region and the Karana Downs region is a priority for Labor because we know many of the things that will help our school children improve, such as increased individual attention and quality teaching, cost money. 

“Parents work so hard fundraising for their school – sausage sizzles, cake stalls, fetes – because they know the difference extra money makes. 

“Public schools teach two in three of all school students, and the overwhelming majority of Australia’s neediest children: 82 per cent of the poorest children; 84 per cent of Indigenous children; and 74 per cent of children with disabilities.

“I want our terrific local state schools to reach even greater heights. 

“Because of Scott Morrison’s cuts, almost nine in ten state schools will never get to their fair funding level because the Liberals have capped federal funding for public schools at just 20 per cent of the cost of educating a child.

“Labor wants every state school to get 100 per cent of its fair funding level.

“We must do everything we can to prepare our kids for the jobs of the future.

“That’s why Labor is investing in 15 years of world class education for the next generation, from 3 and 4 year old preschool, to year 12. 

“It’s time for a government that will put schoolkids first,” Mr Neumann said.