Malcolm Turnbull must not abandon Tasmanian schools

Helen Richardson, AEU Tasmanian Branch President, said:

“Malcolm Turnbull’s proposal to end Federal Government funding of public education would hit Tasmania’s schools the hardest and devastate the learning opportunities of generations of students.”

“Tasmania has the highest proportion of disadvantaged students of any state and a decision by Mr Turnbull to dodge all responsibility for funding our schools would mean the end of needs-based funding and be a betrayal of the fundamental right of every child, wherever they live, to access a great education.”

“Mr Turnbull’s proposal to axe federal funding of public schools flies in the face of the central recommendation of the Gonski Review which was for a needs-based funding model which applies equally across all school sectors.”

“The key recommendation of the Gonski Review for the Federal Government to work with the States and take the bulk of responsibility for ensuring disadvantaged schools were properly equipped to cater for the needs of their students.”

“Too many Tasmanian students are already being held back because of government education cuts and underfunding and Mr Turnbull’s proposal to walk away from his school funding responsibilities would further entrench disadvantage in our state.”
Harriet Binet Communications, Campaigns and Media Australian Education Union Tasmanian Branch