Greens pledge additional $6 billion for public schools

[Edwards, Jon (Sen K. Nettle)]

---------------------
Another message from the GREENS-MEDIA maillist.
You are subscribed as: chris at sw.oz.au
Manage your subscription on the list home page at:
http://www.altnews.com.au/greens/
---------------------

20.05.04

Greens pledge additional $6 billion for public schools

Greens Education Spokesperson, Senator Kerry Nettle today announced The
Greens schools policy for upcoming federal election at the national
conference of the Australian Council of State School Organisations.

"The Greens policy proposes an additional $6.025 billion for public
schools. This is money the Howard government should be spending on
public schools but chooses not to. 

"Public schools should be the priority for federal government funding.
The $6 billion dollars we have pledged comes from the existing schools
budget," Senator Nettle said.

"The Greens have identified funding, accountability and access as key
issues to be addressed.

"The Greens are calling for the funding to private schools to be frozen
over the next four years pending the outcome of a full inquiry into the
funding of non-government schools.

"The wealthiest private schools should have their commonwealth funding
cut with savings redirected into a Priority Public Schools Funding
Programme(previously the Disadvantaged Schools Program) that targets
needy public schools.

"A reallocation of the government's projected schools budget as
recommended by The Greens would deliver public schools over $660 per
student per year for the next 4 years.

"The current SES funding model which unfairly distributes public money
to private schools must be scrapped.

"It's unacceptable that any school should be able to discriminate
against students and staff on the basis of sex, marital status,
sexuality or disability.

"The accountability of public funds is a core principle of good
government, and must be applied the billions of dollars spent
subsidising private schools each year."

Further funding announcement will be made as part of The Greens Public
Education Policy launch during the federal election campaign.

Contact Jon Edwards - 0428 213 146



-------------------------
Support your List Server:
DOMAIN NAMES: http://altnews.com.au/register/
HOSTING: http://altnews.com.au/sales/
PHONE: low cost calls at http://us.altnews.com.au/1cell/
-------------------------
Hosted by Alternative News Network, Cairns, tropical north Queensland, Australia
-------------------------