2019-04-03
Australian Greens Senator for NSW and Spokesperson for Education, Dr Mehreen Faruqi, has given the Federal Budget an F on school funding and has accused the Morrison Government of turning its back on public school students and teachers.
Senator Faruqi said:
“This budget is an ‘F’ on school funding and shows that the Morrison Government has well and truly turned its back on students and teachers.
“This budget is a testament to the contempt that the Liberals hold for public schools, their students and their teachers. Instead of reversing the billions in cuts to public education, they have continued on a trajectory that leaves public schools underfunded and private schools grossly overfunded.
“Private schools will get $18 billion more than public schools over the next four years. That tells you all you need to know about the Liberals' education priorities.
“The Greens are proudly the party of public education. We are unapologetic in our advocacy for a well-resourced, world class public education system.
“Ninety-three percent of public school teachers dip into their own pocket to buy stationery and classroom equipment, and nearly half buy library resources and textbooks to make up for the lack of Government funding. This budget will be cold comfort for them.
“The Australian Greens have a plan to invest an additional $4.6 billion for public schools over the next four years and $20.5 billion over the next ten years, funded by reversing tax cuts that disproportionately benefit the rich. This will ensure every public school in Australia has the funding to meet the educational needs of their students, no matter their postcode or their parents’ bank balance" she concluded.