Where's the Coalition representative? Democrat Lyn Allison addresses the forum (main), Labor's Stephen Smith and Greens' Bob Brown.

Public education advocates lobby in Canberra

By Maree O’Halloran

More than 50 delegates from NSW public school communities descended on Parliament House, Canberra to lobby for greater federal government investment in public education on June 12.

Delegates met with members of the House of Representatives and the Senate to stress the value of public education and the need for greatly increased federal funding.

At 12.15pm on the day, NSW delegates were joined by representatives from all other states and territories for a major forum on public education. The leaders of all political parties were invited to address the forum.

Prime Minister John Howard chose not to attend and sent no representative.

Greens leader Bob Brown addressed the forum and spoke about the value of public education and his party's strong funding policy in favour of public education. Mr Brown called for a change of government and also stressed the crucial role of the Senate in the upcoming federal election. He promised that the Greens' commitment to public education would be at the forefront of its agenda if the Greens were to hold the balance of power after July 1, 2008 (when the Senate changeover occurs).

Democrats education and training spokesperson Lyn Allison also called for a change of government. Ms Allison spoke strongly and favourably about public education and the value of the teaching profession.

Education and Training shadow spokesperson Stephen Smith represented Opposition leader Kevin Rudd at the forum. Mr Smith sent Mr Rudd's apologies and spoke about Labor's "education revolution". Mr Smith detailed Labor's view that education was both central to economic development and critical to social policy. Labor's funding policy is that schools would be funded on the basis of "need". However, Mr Smith also reiterated that no private schools would lose a dollar of funding and that indexation of private school funding would remain. Those statements of course make a mockery of "needs-based" funding.

The highlight of Mr Smith's address was given in answer to a question. Mr Smith said Labor would increase targeted federal funding to 'government' schools. The lowlight of his address was his marked reluctance to use the work 'public' or comment on the specific value of public education to the community.

Federation would like to thank all members who took part in this lobbying event. It will be followed by events organised in federal electorates. Delegates to Federation's Annual Conference in July will also have an opportunity to hear from Stephen Smith and NSW Greens Senator Kerry Nettle. Federation has asked both Mr Smith and Ms Nettle to speak about the value of public education as well as funding in their address.

We need federal and state governments to increase their investment in public education. 2007 is a federal election year and it is essential that political parties are held accountable for their choices when it comes to federal funding. The Coalition has made a policy decision over the past decade to greatly increase the share of federal funding sent to private schools. This increase has been over and above any enrolment increase in the private sector. Meanwhile our great public schools remain underfunded. Both federal and state governments must lift their investment.

Maree O'Halloran is the President.

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