Labor's ideological war on non-government schools

Schools Minister, Peter Garrett needs to immediately clarify comments in the media today that suggest the Government intends to slash non-government school funding, said Christopher Pyne, Shadow Minister for Education.

“Mr Garrett was asked to commit to the ongoing indexation of school funding but failed to do so, meaning that in real terms non-government schools will face dramatic funding shortfalls,” Mr Pyne said.

“Coalition estimates show there could be a $4.2 billion shortfall over four years if indexation is not maintained at current levels, which schools will be forced to find through higher school fees or staff cuts,” he said.

"With 34 per cent of students attending non-government schools, millions of parents are very concerned over the re-emergence of Labor’s Private School Hit List and the impact of higher school fees on already stretched family budgets.

The Executive Director of the Independent Schools Council, Bill Daniels has also confirmed that cuts to indexation will see school fees go up.

“No one should doubt that this is all part of the ideological war that the Labor Party has been waging against choice and diversity in education for years,” Mr Pyne said.

 November 27, 2011

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