Dutton’s $10m election promise to Moriah College
An elected Coalition federal government would provide $10 million to Moriah College, Dutton has announced.
Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton promised last night that an elected Coalition government would provide in excess of $10 million to Moriah College, towards the cost of security upgrades.
He made the pledge to an audience of 215 people at a Moriah College Foundation members’ cocktail party at the home of Judy and Steven Lowy.
Dutton said, “Tonight, I want to pledge, from an elected coalition government, that we will work with Moriah to address the security needs at the school, because it is clear that only at Jewish schools in our country do we require armed guards”.
“And that [promise] will be in excess of $10 million . . . and it will augment the money that’s already been raised.
“I hope it sends a very clear message of deterrence, a very clear and definite message to those that would seek to do harm, that most Australians are of good heart and good spirit, and stand with people of the Jewish community, and certainly of Moriah College, to provide a safe and certain future for wonderful Australians, such as those that we’ve met tonight.”
Dutton also reaffirmed several other promises he’d announced earlier that day at a function at The Lowy Institute.
“I announced today that [if elected] we would pursue a free trade agreement with Israel . . . and there will be no funding [by Australia] to UNRWA,” he said.
“Australians expect that taxpayers’ dollars be spent efficiently and wisely, and not on supporting quasi-terrorist activities [via funding UNRWA].
“At the moment, the way that Israel is being treated [by the Australian Government] is an abomination at so many levels.
“I want to underscore the importance of the relationship, and the need to restore it very quickly, which I think we can do if we’re elected.
“I also want to make sure that Australian kids are going to Holocaust museums, and we [the Coalition] will mandate that, and will look at what is being taught to our children in schools, to allow them [students] to be armed with the facts, so that they can counter the antisemitism.”
“We will also provide the moral and political leadership needed to restore law and order and justice.
“Non-citizens who incite or choose violence must have their visas cancelled, and be swiftly deported.”
Thanking Dutton for his support and funding pledge to Moriah, the college foundation’s president, Judy Lowy, provided an update on the Jewish school’s major capital works ‘Rise Up’ campaign.
That will fund the construction of new buildings at the Queens Park campus, including a Centre of Excellence in science, design and technology, and visual arts, additional classrooms, staff faculty spaces, a new library, additional green space, and sport facility upgrades.
The upgrade project also includes significant additional security infrastructure.
“The estimated cost of the development project is budgeted at $91 million, as building and labour costs across the industry continue to soar,” Lowy said.
“With the support of many of you here tonight, I’m proud to say we have raised $61.6 million, from just over 660 donors.
“This is truly a significant amount, and clearly shows the community understood the need to take Moriah forward and back this project, as so many of you are doing.
“We are still planning to begin construction around the middle of this year, all going well.
“And we’ll be communicating shortly with parents, staff, and all stakeholders.
We are so close now to making this dream a reality, and breaking the ground soon, [but] we obviously need more funding to complete the project.
“We are also submitting a request for security funding, to both state and federal governments.
“The Moriah College Foundation exists to invest in our most precious assets – our children – and we could not do it without your support.
“Peter [Dutton], we are so grateful for your support.”
The event also provided an opportunity for the new Moriah College president, Robbie Blau, to deliver his first official speech in that role.
“Thank you all for your support, your dedication, and your unwavering belief in our school, as together, we continue to build, to grow, and to ensure that Moriah College remains a place of strength, academic excellence, and Jewish pride, for many, many years to come,” Blau said.
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