Hon Bill English MP
National Education Spokesperson
4th February 2004
Labour savages Southland education
Invercargill families have paid the price of being taken for granted by Labour, says National's Education spokesman Bill
English.
"I had hoped that Trevor Mallard would back off large-scale closures as he has in Upper Hutt, Taihape and the Far North.
Instead he has gone ahead with savage and unnecessary school closures," said Mr English, who is also MP for
Clutha-Southland.
"These closures will disrupt the strong community support and education that many Invercargill families have enjoyed. My
heart goes out to the parents, trustees and teachers who have worked so hard over the years to build a future for our
children.
"The Minister's decision to designate closed schools as 'continuing schools' is political cynicism at its worst.
"Invercargill MP Mark Peck has been hopeless and the Labour Government believes locals will vote for them anyway. Next
election will be a chance for the community to show what they think of this policy," said Mr English.
Ends