Greens challenge Andrew's Government plan to outsource education

2018-10-09

The Greens have questioned the Andrews Government's commitment to public schools after Labor announced it would fast-track planning applications for private schools, with a dedicated new unit within the planning department. 

Following the announcement of more funding for private schools today, the Greens have also questioned whether the Andrews Government is committed to addressing the gap in funding state run education.

With more than $4.5 billion worth of federal funding announced last week to private schools, it is unclear how the Andrews government is justifying this decision.

Quotes attributable to Sue Pennicuik Greens spokesperson for education:

“Fully resourcing government schools should be the priority of the state government. Victoria lags behind the rest of the country when it comes to public funding per student, yet Premier Andrews is throwing more money at the private sector.

“The Greens will repeal the 25% of recurrent funding of government schools that Labor automatically gives to independent schools and fund schools based on equity and need.”

Quotes attributable to Victorian Greens Leader and spokesperson for planning, Samantha Ratnam

"We have the private school sector able to get special schemes to build more private schools, when public schools are crying out for more funding.

"This government is outsourcing their responsibility for education to the private system, with more funding and special treatment. It has got its priorities backward.”

The Greens will be releasing a number of education policies that give a fairer deal to public schools soon.