Labor Concedes on Education

[Oquist, Ben (Sen B. Brown)]

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Thursday, December 07, 2000


Labor Concedes on Education

The Labor Opposition has backed down on insisting, in the Senate, for a
better funding deal for public schools.

"The Greens, like many voters, feel frustrated by Labor's cave-in on
education and I predict a record vote for smaller parties at the next
election," said Senator Brown.

The bill Labor has allowed drains money from Australia's public school
sector to private schools.  It accelerates the growing gap between rich and
poor.  It seriously erodes the right of every child to a first-rate
education.

Greens Senator Bob Brown discounted the argument by Opposition Senator Peter
Cook that the Greens and Democrats will have no option but to give
preferences to Labor at the next election.

"In fact, Labor is making out a good case for the Democrats' standard system
of allocating preferences 50-50 to the big parties. 

"The sight of Labor voting with the Government on this education bill is a
strong message to voters about weakness of opposition.
 
"Actions speak louder than words.  The Opposition's failure leaves voters
without a strong, capable option to the Howard Government on education,"
Senator Brown said.

Further information: Ben Oquist 02 62773170 or 0419 704095



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Ben Oquist
Australian Greens Senator Bob Brown
Parliament House, Canberra 2600
Australia
+61 2 62773170 ph
+61 2 62773185 fx
0419704095 mobile
http://www.greens.org.au/bobbrown
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