Senator Nettle speaks at Conference

	Senator Kerry Nettle

Senator Kerry Nettle of The Greens addressed Annual Conference.

Kerry congratulated the NSW Teachers Federation on the research it has done on the level of community support for public education.

Kerry discussed the challenge of getting all political parties to recognise the priority public education should receive in making funding decisions and criticised the current models of education funding.

Senator Nettle said the money needed to properly fund public schools may look like quite a lot but not when you consider the benefits it would bring to the whole of society. She suggested that the accountability of private schools for the money they receive is an issue which should be pursued.

Senator Kerry Nettle praised the AEU's proposals which will assist in turning around the debate that Julie Bishop is pursuing around performance pay for teachers.

Senator Nettle discussed the importance of school counsellors and speculated about the benefits which could be gained if money being provided for school chaplains was available to employ more school counsellors.

She urged teachers to get involved in the enrol to vote campaign so ensure that young people do not miss out on the opportunity to vote in the next federal election.

The Greens campaign will focus on the role that the Senate has to play in changing government policies if there is a change in government following the federal election.

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Last Modified: 03 Jul 2007