Labor declares war on independent schools

A Parliamentary Inquiry into Labor’s new school funding model has heard today that up to 30 per cent of independent schools will be worse off nationally under Labor’s changes to school funding.

“The Independent Schools Council of Australia has confirmed that according to modelling, about 30 per cent of independent schools will be worse off in real terms under Labor’s proposed model,” said the Shadow Minister for Education, Christopher Pyne.

“ISCA said 140 schools in New South Wales would lose funding, placing in jeopardy the future of some low fee Christian Schools in Western Sydney,” Mr Pyne said. 

“Similarly the Australian Primary Principals Association has indicated that up to 75 per cent of independent schools in Queensland alone could lose funding under Labor’s changes,” he said. 

“This means school fees in these schools will have to increase to cover the shortfall, hitting the family budgets of tens of thousands of parents.

“It could also mean schools that don’t have the capacity to increase fees might be forced to cut courses available to students or even shut their doors.

“Mark Latham had a hit list of 67 schools. Based on the evidence today, Julia Gillard has a hit list of somewhere between 330 and 825 independent schools.

“It is a betrayal of parents and students and proves without a doubt that Labor’s war on non-government education is still alive and well.

“The Coalition will not support a new funding system that creates losers. Parents across Australia cannot afford additional school fees when they’re already struggling with increasing cost of living pressures thanks to Labor’s carbon tax broken promise,” Mr Pyne said. 

The Coalition Members of the House Education and Employment Committee in attendance were the Member for Grey, Rowan Ramsey, the Member for McPherson, Karen Andrews, the Member for Aston, Alan Tudge and the Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke.

February 19, 2012