Electorate Media Releases

KEVIN RUDD BREAKS COMPUTERS PROMISE TO STUDENTS IN NORTH SYDNEY

16th June 2008

The Rudd Government has broken its promise to provide every upper secondary student in North Sydney with their own computer, the Federal Member for North Sydney, the Hon Joe Hockey, said today.

Mr Hockey said that the Rudd Government had yesterday admitted that the most needy schools would only get a ratio of one computer for every two students at best.  

“Kevin Rudd promised North Sydney students and parents that every student in Years 9-12 would get their very own computer and he’s already broken that promise," Mr Hockey said.

“Kevin Rudd has deceived Australian parents and students who thought they would be getting their very own computer.

“Kevin Rudd can’t deliver on his promise to bring petrol prices or grocery prices down and now he can’t deliver on one of his biggest election promises - to give every kid a computer."   

Mr Hockey said that six months after the election, the Rudd Government still hadn’t worked out who would pick up the tab for all the extra costs of the computers such as re-wiring, power, software, security, installation and teacher training.

“I am very worried that is going to be individual schools in North Sydney who will have to pay for these costs and eventually parents through higher school fees," Mr Hockey said. 

“Labor MPs are going to turn up to schools, deliver the computers in boxes, smile for the photo opportunity and then leave schools and parents to pick up all the extra costs.

“This is like delivering a new car without any keys or engine."

Mr Hockey said that the WA Premier, Alan Carpenter had estimated that for every $1 the Federal Government spends on computers, an extra $3 will be needed for the on costs.  

“Kevin Rudd’s computers do not compute," Mr Hockey.

“Kevin Rudd’s so-called digital revolution was clearly created as an election campaign slogan designed to live only until Election Day with no thought as to how it would work in reality."  

 Media Contact: Trent Zimmerman – 9929 9822