2016-01-11
Senator Nick McKim
2016 promises to be a hectic year on the political front, and the Greens are ready for the election, whenever it is called.
One of the key battlegrounds for the election will be education policy, and as spokesperson for schools, I look forward to explaining the Greens' vision for well-funded schools as the cornerstone of a smart, prosperous and innovative Australia.
Since the disastrous 2014 Budget, the government has literally ripped billions from our schools, with no indication of how the full Gonski package will be funded.
Despite a new Prime Minister, and a new Minister for Education, there has been no commitment to fund year five and six of the Fairer Schools model.
Nor has there been any hint that the tens of billions ripped from schools in the 2014 Budget will be restored.
In fact, the most recent Budget outlined a cut in real terms to overall school funding from 2018, indexed well below the increasing cost of providing education.
The Greens will spend this year pushing for the full rollout of the Gonski package, and end the funding cliff for our schools.
Decades of underinvestment in Australian schools have caused deep inequalities between our most advantaged and disadvantaged schools.
Unfortunately the gap just keeps getting wider.
The year ahead
I want to see a future where educational achievement is determined by hard work, creativity and capacity, not by wealth, power or influence.
We know the difference that extra funding can make, particularly to schools in disadvantaged areas, so we want to make sure that funds flow through school gates and into classrooms rather than being diverted into education bureaucracies.
The Greens will also fight for a better deal for students with disabilities.
The current loading model will leave tens of thousands of students without adequate in-school support for yet another school year.
The most recent update from Minister Simon Birmingham blamed a lack of data for his failure to introduce the disability funding model recommended by David Gonski.
But if the data was not up to scratch, interim arrangements should have been put in place to deliver extra support in schools next year while work on the data is completed.
The Greens will stay vigilant on issues like means-testing public education and the withdrawal of federal funding for public schools, both of which were floated in the government's Federation Green Paper.
We'll also be keeping a close eye on new Minister Birmingham for any signs of his favoured voucher system.
I also hope to spend some time developing the Greens' vision for sustainability learning centres around the country.
One of my proudest achievements from my time as Tasmanian State minister was the construction of the Tasmanian SLC, which is a nation-leader in educating children about important issues like climate change, biodiversity, ecology, renewable energy, water, economic and environmental sustainability.
Children from all over Australia should have access to similar facilities if we are to truly prepare our students for the challenges of the 21st Century.
Back to schools
Since becoming a Senator in the second half of 2015, I have met with many education unions, school groups, students and teachers both in my native Tasmania and across the country.
I hope to spend as much of 2016 in schools and meeting with educators as I possibly can.
I love visiting schools – it always inspires me to do everything I can to support teachers, school leaders and students. I really enjoy hearing students talk and learn about sustainability and environmental issues – it gives me genuine hope for the future.
And the overwhelming positivity and dedication of Australia's teachers never ceases to amaze me. It's an extremely challenging profession that needs to be more highly valued in our community.
Both teachers and students need to be able to count on the support of their elected representatives.
The Greens aim to see respected, well-paid, well-trained teachers with the necessary resources and support to be able to educate all students to a world class standard.
We want to see education, and educators, valued as they should be. And school funding significantly increased to reflect the importance of education to the future of our children, and our country.
Best of luck to all of you for the year ahead!