Moncrieff Media

Gold Coasters miss out on free computers, promised by Kevin Rudd last election

13 November 2008

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has reneged on his promise to give every student a computer as part of Labor’s ‘education revolution’, local MP Steven Ciobo said. 

“Gold Coasters would recall in the last federal election, Kevin Rudd promised each child would receive a computer, but he has failed to keep his promise,” Mr Ciobo said. 

“In fact, only one local school has been allocated new computer equipment, and even that is not a new computer for every student. Rather, just one classroom has received computers. 

“Of the 33 high schools on the Gold Coast, Tamborine Mountain College is the only recipient of Labor's so-called ‘education revolution’, receiving 40 new computers.” 

But it doesn't finish there – Labor has refused to pay for the installation and ongoing maintenance costs, meaning the local P&C would have to foot the bill. 

Mr Ciobo said this proved the Rudd Labor Government’s “Digital Education Revolution” was nothing more than an empty election promise with no foresight or substance. 

“The Rudd Government has reneged on its promise to put a computer on every desk for students between years nine and 12,” Mr Ciobo said. 

“Labor’s Digital Education Revolution policy provides “access” to one computer between two students.  

“Gold Coasters believed their child would have his or her own computer, but now, 12 months on, Mr Rudd is weaselling his way out of the promise by simply altering the policy. 

“The two biggest problems for Gold Coasters are the fact only one school will actually receive computers, leaving the others to make do, and even with computers, there’s no funding to install or operate them. 

“The State Governments, independent organisations and the private sector estimate the programme would cost a total of $2.5 billion to provide and maintain one computer per student in Australia. 

“The program has been grossly under-budgeted and a lack of planning and foresight has meant many Australian parents will have to foot the bill for Mr Rudd’s empty election promise. 

“It is disappointing to see that less than 10,000 computers are actually on students’ desks, one year into the Rudd government’s election policy.”