[Greens-Media] NSW govt hides BER failure with delusional spin

[John Kaye]

NSW govt hides BER failure with delusional spin
 
Media release: 7 September 2010
 
The Keneally government's four page report card on its performance on Building the Education Revolution (http://bit.ly/ber1009) fails to acknowledge the massive cost overrun and the depth and range of community complaints about poorly designed and delivered projects, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye. ('Report card spins BER failure to success', The Australian, 7 September 2010, http://bit.ly/aus100907)
 
Dr Kaye said: "The Keneally government is living in a state of denial.
 
"Costs in the NSW public education system were 38 percent higher than in the equivalent Catholic systemic schools.
 
"Many public school communities, while grateful for the new buildings, were appalled by the cost overruns, the poor design and the low quality finishes of many projects.
 
"Education Minister Verity Firth should face the reality of $824 million squandered and many buildings that are the wrong size or function for their schools.
 
"Denying the reality of the BER in NSW is not only insulting spin. It also highlights a dangerous failure to learn from past mistakes.
 
"The NSW government should stop pretending that they have been delivering value for money and start analysing what went wrong.
 
"A little honesty might save the state billions of dollars on future school building projects costs and ensure that public schools can have the best possible facilities," Dr Kaye said. 
 
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455 
 
 
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John Kaye
Greens member of the NSW Parliament
phone: (02) 9230 2668
fax: (02) 9230 2586
mobile: 0407 195 455
email: john.kaye at parliament.nsw.gov.au
web: www.johnkaye.org.au
 
mail: Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000