[Greens-Media] Education Union TV ad 'on the money'

[Edwards, Jon (Sen K. Nettle)]

11.04.07

Education Union TV ad 'on the money' 


Greens Senator Kerry Nettle today congratulated the Australian Education
Union for their decision to use a major television advertising campaign
to call for a government that supports public education.

"The Australian Education Union (AEU) is right. The Prime Minister and
his government have prioritised private school funding over public
school funding. The Labor party should join The Greens in putting public
school funding first," Senator Nettle said.

"The AEU are on the money because by following the money we can see
where a government's priorities lie. The Howard government's money goes
first to private education. The Greens say that's wrong. Will the ALP
join us?

"Since 1996, the Howard government's funding to private schools, has
more than doubled. At the same time, the money spent on public schools
has barely kept pace with  inflation. The Minister says this is because
of enrolments but government funding to private schools far outstrips
any changes in enrolments.

"The federal government's own education department has identified an
annual $2.8 billion shortfall in the funding needed by public schools to
ensure that the nationally agreed goals for schooling will continue to
be met. The Greens want this money invested now in public schools.

"The Greens say that the government's education spending priorities must
be in the public education system where 70% of kids are taught.

"Before Federal and State education ministers meeting in Darwin tomorrow
talk about teachers pay formulas they should first agree on a joint
funding boost to improve teachers pay and significantly build resources
for kids in public schools.

"Education Ministers' jobs should be about education outcomes not
pandering to powerful interests of the private school lobby.

"The Education Minister would rate poorly if she were subject to
performance pay having failed to support public education."


Contact - Jon Edwards 0428 213 146