[Greens-Media] Greens support action to give parents coherent voice

[John Kaye]

Greens support action to give parents coherent voice

Media release: 12 March 2013

At a critical time for public education, legislative reform is urgently
needed to give NSW parents a coherent voice, according to Greens NSW MP
John Kaye.

('Piccoli to force P&C reform', Sydney Morning Herald, 12 March, page 1,
http://j.mp/smh130312pandc)

The emergence of two executive bodies claiming to run the NSW P&C
Federation has prompted calls for action to change the state legislation.

The NSW Education Act currently allows the minister to regulate the rules
of P&C Associations (school-based bodies) and their district councils, but
not the state-wide body, which is not recognised in the Act.

Dr Kaye said: "The current situation is untenable. We will work with the
government and the opposition to create a functional voice for parents, but
the model must guarantees the independence of the organisation.

"These are dangerous times for public schools.

"Parents collectively deserve a say in the future of the system that
educates their children.

"The Greens would support legislation to create a democratic body that can
stand up to governments as well as provide assistance and advice to school
P&C associations.

"The Greens will be critically assessing any legislation that come to
parliament to make sure it does not result in a tame body that complies
with the Minister's political needs.

"Any new rules must allow a new Federation to speak out and hold the NSW
government to account.

"They must also ensure that the state-wide body engages with and responds
to the grassroots P&C associations in each school," Dr Kaye said.

For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455

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John Kaye
Greens NSW MP
phone: 0407 195 455
web: www.john.nsw.greens.org.au
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