Perth Voice Interactive

The Barnett government has back-flipped again, deciding to honour after all its $1.25 million pre-election pledge to Mt Hawthorn primary school.

In the state budget the government cut the funding primise to $750,000, sparking claims of broken promises and leaving local Liberal MP Eleni Evangel—who’d secured and promoted the original promise—red-faced.

The $500,000 cut threatened the school’s plans for an undercover performance area and moveable stage.

P&C president Tim Swart and Ms Evangel refused to give in and marched to WA education minister Peter Collier to press the case for the promise to be honoured in full.

“When it’s all built and paid for, I’ll be happy,” Mr Swart says.

“We have a meeting on Friday to plan the layout of the area and hopefully we can get the project moving and get some momentum.

“I’m happy with Eleni Evangel, who fought in our corner with the state government.”

A relieved Ms Evangel says the reinstated funding will help the school continue to grow its music program.

“Mt Hawthorn primary is an outstanding school, for many reasons, one of them being their excellent school band and music program,” she says.

“Students from Churchlands and Kyilla primary are also part of the school band.

“The extra funding will allow for performance areas plus a movable stage within the undercover area.

“We are all aware of the space restraints our inner city schools are experiencing and this is an efficient way of making the most of the limited space available.”

Mt Hawthorn was a key battleground between then-Labor MP John Hyde and Ms Evangel. During the state campaign Ms Evangel heavily promoted her party’s promise to fund infrastructure upgrades, including undercover space and resurfacing the carpark and tennis and basketball courts.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK