Minister for School Education
Peter Garrett
Abbott declares public schools get too much money
Monday 20 August 2012
Tony Abbott has today warned thousands of parents of public school students that he believes public schools get too much money.
Mr Abbott today told the Independent Schools’ National Education Forum:
“Overall, the 66 per cent of Australian school students who attend public schools get 79 per cent of government funding. The 34 per cent of Australians who attend independent schools get just 21 per cent of government funding. So there is no question of injustice to public schools here. If anything, the injustice is the other way. If anything, the injustice is the other way.
He must immediately rule out cuts to government schools under a Coalition Government.
Minister for School Education Peter Garrett said Mr Abbott’s comments will alarm the vast majority of parents who send their children to government schools.
“Today Tony Abbott gave the strongest indication yet that a Coalition Government would rip funding away from some of our neediest schools,” he said.
“This is on top of the $2.8billion the Opposition has already pledged to gut from the education budget – meaning bigger classes and fewer teachers in our schools.
“The Gillard Government has pledged that funding for every school in the country will continue to rise under our plan for school improvement – but all the Coalition can talk about is cuts, cuts and more cuts.”
The Opposition’s education spokesman, Christopher Pyne, has already let the cat out of the bag when it comes to the Coalition’s plans to reduce teacher numbers and squeeze more kids into our classrooms.
STEVE CANNANE: So you made the point that you think we've been wasting money by reducing class sizes.
CHRISTOPHER PYNE: Sure.
(LATELINE – 16 JULY 2012)
Mr Garrett said the Opposition is continuing to ignore the overwhelming view of education experts that the current school funding system needs an overhaul.
“Christopher Pyne rejected the independent review of school funding 20 minutes after it was released, without having read it. And he has confirmed the Coalition will repeal any school funding legislation before they’ve even seen the details,” he said.
“Tony Abbott and his crew simply can’t be trusted to look after our children’s education.
“Only the Gillard Government has a plan for schools – delivering every school the funding it needs to do a great job, and focusing on great teachers, more principal power and boosting standards in every school.”
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