Labor opposes funding Catholic and Independent schools

Australian parliament House of Representatives Question time 19.9.07. The Hon. Julie Bishop explains Labor is ideologically opposed to any government funding of Catholic and Independent schools.

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[odddmonster]

I don't think there is anything "fair" about the current arrangement of funding private schools. The whole point about them being "private" is that they are not "public". Any money that the government pays to them is therefore not "funding" but a "subsidy". The evidence is that this subsidy is perverse, that is going to wealthy people.

The arrangement should be this. No subsidies to private school, but school fees should be tax deductible up to a given limit per child.

[kevvys1a1woos]

If there were no private schools, then those pupils who would have attended them would have to be accommodated in the public education system. It's very cost effective for the govt to fund private education, as then they're not having to pay for the infrastructure that the private schools provide.

[cfm343]

Bullshit, education is the every government's responsibility. If there is so much burden on the public system, perhaps it's time to increase the public system's funding to overcome that burden?

Parental choice is a bullshit excuse. In the real world, if you have money, you have choice. So if the parents can afford private schools then by all means send their kids to the private schools.

What a load of shit, glad to see this bullshit government is finally fucked off :)

[bigswano]

Most private schools should receive $0 in government funding. Some already charge students in excess of $20000 for year 12. Taxpayers money is being poured down the drain being given to these elitist organizations so they can build another olympic sized swimming pool or gymnasium.

[GoddyofWar]

@bigswano It isn't even going into swimming pools or gymnasiums. I attended a private school 5 years ago, and the heads of school all drove around in $100,000 cars, while the students were left to swelter in hot Queensland heat.

[2edsajdmsa]

@assasincomedy I disagree. I take the stance of, it people want to bring their children up in a religious school they should pay for it themselves. All kids should have access to an education (which is where public schools come into the picture) but anything behind that, pay for a private school yourself if you must.

I don't see any discrimination as long as kids of all backgrounds and religions have access to a public school education.

[assasincomedy]

@2edsajdmsa I agree with you of course! I was trying to say, that letting the government fund private secular schools and not religious schools is unfair. They should either fund both, or none at all, and simply increase funding on public schools.

[2edsajdmsa]

@assasincomedy Its not discrimination. I think people are free to believe what they want to, and to teach their children what they want to. These are basic human rights which must be observed.

However, you cannot ask the taxpayer (all people, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Atheists and Agnostics) to pay to teach a child in a religious manner. It isn't fair. Keep the state out of religion all together, its what our founding fathers wanted, as set out in article 116 of our constitution.

[assasincomedy]

@2edsajdmsa That comment is biased. You want the Government to fund non-religious schools, but not religious ones. That is discrimination.

[2edsajdmsa]

Funding of a religious school is unconstitutional as per section 116 of the Australian Constitution.

Government shouldn't have anything to do with religion or religious organizations.

After that, if a private school is not religious, I don't mind if the government helps fund to a certain extent.

[brumbiesfan11]

What was said that was offensive? I do not understand that one.

[odddmonster]

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Sounds like some kind of generalisation from economic ideas which are about two centuries old. The picture you are painting is not how things are in reality. Do you have some bone to pick with someone?

[jacksjapaneseholiday]

@odddmonster *offer superior studies

oh and if you say that a parent does not know when their children are not being properly taught or bullied at school is arrogant in the extreme. ultimately its the parents who care about their children more than anyone else and understand what is best for them. if a school does not teach children properly, at the moment the parents have little recourse. if their funding depended upon the parents CHOOSING them, obviously educational standards would improve.

[jacksjapaneseholiday]

@odddmonster what a load of crap. the power in the public schools in australia ultimately rests with the teachers and bureaucrats. parents KNOW what is best for their children and understand when discipline is lax or educational standards are too low. why should they not have the power to decide how their kids are taught? that is why private schools are so much better than state ones at the moment - they HAVE to offer superior students or their CLIENTS the parents will leave