NSW teachers, principals and parents from 50 NSW Federal electorates joined delegations from every other state and territory on June 21 to lobby Federal members and Senators around Federal funding issues and the States Grants Bill.

ALP to pass Howard’s funding bill

By Angelo Gavrielatos

In a repeat of 2001, despite declaring that it "does not support the Government's unbalanced and divisive schools funding system that has given the largest funding increases to the wealthiest schools", the ALP has announced it will pass the Government's schools funding legislation.

The States Grants legislation provides preposterous levels of funding to private schools at the expense of public education. On June 22, announcing that "2005 will be a transition year for schools", the ALP declared, "in Government, Labor will introduce fairer needs based funding legislation to begin in 2006 and.. [the] first budget will contain additional funding for government schools".

In the absence of a detailed policy which includes a specific reference to the actual funding levels for public education, cynicism toward the ALP will remain.

The ALP announcement was just a day after Public Education Lobby Day, where representatives from Federal electorates across Australia descended upon Canberra in support of public education.

Almost 200 parents, teachers and principals demanded of their local Member of Parliament and 'duty' Senator a priority commitment to public education, a significant increase in funding to public education, a redistribution of funding from private schools to public schools, and the defeat of the States Grants Act.

A feature event of the lobby day was the leaders' forum. Invitations were sent to Prime Minister John Howard, Opposition leader Mark Latham, Greens Senator Bob Brown and Democrats Senator Andrew Bartlett.

In a snub to the public education community, Mr Howard did not attend, instead choosing to send Education Minister Nelson.

ALP leader Mark Latham told the forum that "under Labor, government schools will be a national priority" and that "the neighbourhood government school is the most important building in the community which must have resources to deliver a 21st Century education". But he only committed the ALP to "significantly increasing the funding for government schools". A commitment in dollars and cents is still not forthcoming.

Recognising the importance that, "schools must have the resources to deliver a 21st Century education ... modern classrooms, libraries and up to date technology," Mr Latham criticised the fact the Howard Government has refused to provide any real increase in government school capital funding since 1996. He pledged to work "with state and territory governments to narrow the gap in capital and ICT [information and communication technology] resources between government and non government students".

When asked whether he supported free, secular, public education as envisioned by Sir Henry Parkes, Mark Latham surprised and angered many present with a response which was not in keeping with the tone of his speech. He said he was not interested in looking to the past but rather to the future and that he was not interested in reigniting the state aid debate.

While Mr Latham rejected the Howard Government's view that children in government schools are not a Federal government responsibility, Dr Nelson continued to try to hide his government's neglect of public education by suggesting that state governments are responsible for public education.

Hence, he showed contempt to all present and the 70 per cent of students, parents and teachers who are part of the public education system nationwide.

Senator Brown's presentation was typical of the demonstrated track record and commitment that The Greens continue to show towards public education.

Angelo Gavrielatos is the Senior Vice President.

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