[Greens-Media] Gillard's public education cuts demand strong response from Iemma govt

[John Kaye]

Gillard's public education cuts demand  strong response from Iemma govt 

Media Release: 27 August 2008

Public schools in NSW will lose up to 350 teachers by 2012 if the Iemma government does not act quickly to close the gap left by Federal Education Minister Julia Gillard's funding cuts, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye

Commenting on research released today by the Australian Education Union ('Funding cuts to cost 1000 teachers: union' Sydney Morning Herald), Dr Kaye said: "It is a strange education revolution that slashes funding to public schools while boosting subsidies to private institutions.

"Julia Gillard has done the impossible: she is on track to be an even worse education minister than her three Coalition predecessors.

"Under Minister Gillard's plans, NSW public schools stand to lose 350 teachers by 2012 while their private counterparts will be able to afford to employ an additional 928.

"This is an appalling transfer of wealth from public schools to private.

"The NSW government cannot stand by and do nothing while its education system is mugged by Minister Gillard.

"The absence of a full-time education minister in NSW has now become critical. 

"This state's public schools need a loud voice and a strong pair of hands to defend them against the Rudd government.

"The Greens call on Premier Morris Iemma to appoint a full-time education minister who can go into bat not just for reversing the cuts but also for a massive boost in federal funding.

"The Premier must immediately promise to make up the $35 million funding shortfall that threatens NSW public schools.

"At the same time the Iemma government should cut the same amount out of the subsidies it gives to elite private school.

"Withholding state money from schools like  Kings, Moriah College, PLC and Sydney Grammar would not only provide enough cash to the public system to cover the shortfall.

"It would also hold Julia Gillard's attention long enough for her to understand that NSW will not tolerate this sort of treatment of its schools," Dr Kaye said.

For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455