Funding game ‘dangerous’ for Aboriginal people

Pam Koeneman…Aboriginal people’s right to determine their own future is being attacked.

By Kerri Carr

The value of public education and Aboriginal people's right to determine their own future are being attacked by the Federal Government, Life Member and former Federation Aboriginal Education Coordinator Pam Koeneman told Annual Conference.

"Through the political game playing of the Howard Government, both Aboriginal people and people involved in public education are being forced to look at the future with concern: our future as individuals, the future for our families, our communities, our country," Ms Koeneman said.

"Are we to allow the Howard Government to tell us that there are two tiers of society? And that these tiers are defined by means? A future where the calibre of a person is not defined by what they hold in their hearts but by what they have in their pockets? Are opportunities only to be available to those who can afford them?

"As an Aboriginal person I have lived in a tiered society and along with countless others have been driven to change the status quo," Ms Koeneman said.

"The game being played with the funding of public education is a dangerous one," she warned.

"Public education is the future in that it works toward enhancing a society that is inclusive and based on the rights of all Australians to receive a good education, no matter what their postcode, their parents' income, or the culture with which they identify. We are a big enough nation to be able to value difference and diversity within our population.

"Governments may say it is too hard but there have been many examples of where inclusion has been set as the priority."

Ms Koeneman gave the traditional welcome from the Cadigal People, the traditional owners of the land on which the conference was held, at the beginning of the three-day conference. "It is your challenge for the next couple of days to bear in mind the bleak future the Howard Government funding policies and under pinning values will create if left unopposed," Ms Koeneman said.

"It is your challenge to imagine a better future and to work steadily towards ways of bringing that future into being. I invite you to listen with your hearts to the issues being raised as they will affect the nation for years to come and have the courage, tenacity and wisdom to follow through."

©2000-2002 NSWTF Online is a resource for teachers
provided by the NSW Teachers Federation.
[Authorisation of election comment] [Privacy]

http://www.nswtf.org.au/journal_extras/fgame.html
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005