Mr Draper received confirmation there were no plans to sell any of Farrer’s land late last year following announcements the Government planned to sell off 90 per cent of the land surrounding Hurlstone Agricultural School in Sydney.

“I raised the issue last year and contacted the minister’s office again today following media speculation over the weekend,” he said yesterday.

“On both occasions I have been assured there are no plans to sell any of the land at Farrer.

“What concerns me is that very real threat to land at Hurlstone Agricultural School is now being blurred by suggestion that schools around the state could be up for sale.”

Mr Draper said he was not opposed to land surplus to requirements being sold to fund investment in school maintenance and infrastructure investment.

“However, we need to remain vigilant to ensure that land with significant commercial value isn’t sold simply to cover economic mismanagement by the Government,” he said.

Mr Draper said last year he met with Hurlstone students who expressed concerns about the future of farming at the school and stressed the importance of continuing the practical aspects of the facility’s agricultural education.

“We have students from this area who attend Hurlstone,” he said.

“With Farrer an all-male school, Hurlstone provides opportunities for young women who wish to pursue a career in agriculture.

“I suggest that now the minister’s office has given assurances there are no plans to sell land at Farrer, political opportunists should focus their concerns on saving the land at Hurlstone, rather than further muddying the situation that surrounds the battle for this important educational asset.”