August 19th, 2008

Hall calls for Sport and Recreation Victoria Awards nominations

NATIONALS MP Peter Hall is encouraging people to nominate a local sporting team or unsung sporting hero for the 2008 Sport and Recreation Victoria Awards.

``There are ten broad ranging categories which provide the opportunity for everyone to enter a nomination before they close on Friday,’’ Mr Hall said.

Prizes valued at $50,000 will be awarded across the ten categories.

``People might like to think about who in their community has played a significant role in sport or recreation,’’ Mr Hall said.

``You might know a young up-and-coming sports star or a hard working volunteer or even want to nominate a club or community event.

``These awards give you the opportunity to help a person, club or organisation fulfil their sporting dream.’’
With nominations closing Friday 22 August, Mr Hall urged people to log onto the website at www.sport.vic.gov.au and make a nomination.

``Whether it’s your local sports centre, team, parent or even yourself, this is a great opportunity to acknowledge your sporting hero,’’ Mr Hall said.

Categories include: amateur’s achievement; community participation; sport and recreation education; community event; sport and recreation research; young person in sport, community facility design; club and organisational management; volunteer involvement; and the Minister’s award for lifetime achievement.

Visit www.sport.vic.gov.au and download a nomination template or call 9208 3442 to request a      hard copy.

15 August 2008

RESTORING THE BALANCE ON CATHOLIC SCHOOL FUNDING

NATIONALS MP Peter Hall believes Catholic schools are getting a raw deal when it comes to State Government funding.

``Victoria has the highest percentage of students in Catholic education of any state yet receives the lowest amount of funding per student,’’ Mr Hall said.

Currently the state government provides $1283 per student to Catholic schools – well below the national average of $1666 per student.

The Catholic Education Diocese of Sale, which stretches from the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne right across Gippsland, consists of 33 primary schools and seven secondary schools, meeting the needs of around 15,000 students.

Mr Hall said Catholic schools relied heavily on both state and federal funding.

``In the end it’s the parents who choose to send their children to Catholic schools who are paying the price because less funding means higher school fees,’’ Mr Hall said.

``I believe Victoria provides a good balance between public and private education but I think parents deserve to have a choice. In the current economic climate of rising living costs, high school fees only adds to the financial pressure on families.’’
Mr Hall is calling on the Brumby Government to increase funding for Victorian students in Catholic schools to around
25 per cent of the cost of educating a child in a government school.

``This is about restoring balance to the Catholic school system,’’ Mr Hall said.
 The Nationals Liberals Coalition has released an education plan which commits $390 million over four years to Victorian Catholic schools.

``We believe the $390 million should be spent on increasing state government grants to Catholic schools. In particular what that funding will do is ensure that Catholic school teachers are paid more in line with the recent enterprise bargaining agreement with government school teachers.

``Our commitment would also increase funding for students with a disability who currently receive only one third of the funding that a student with a disability in a government school receives.  This is a severe anomaly which needs to be addressed and the coalition’s commitment is a step in the right direction.’’

Mr Hall said the funding would also contribute to capital works and maintenance programs as well as going towards improving internet access and bandwidth to the same level as that in government schools.

``We would also like to see some of this funding go towards teacher and principal professional development.
``These are issues which the coalition has sat down with the Catholic sector and talked through and I believe this commitment would go a long way towards ensuring the Catholic education sector remains a viable choice for parents.’’