THE COALITION WIN AND THE ROMAN CATHOLIC VOTE

Tribalism in Australian Education

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Australian Council for the

Defence of Government Schools

PRESS RELEASE

The Conservative Coalition won the Australian Federal Election, an election some said was unwinnable. When the dust settles however, those who have been watching behind the scenes deals carefully, can give an explanation. As both parties loudly criticised those accused of "racism", tribalism in education was given billions of dollars in funding grants. The Education vote played a part, but it was the Coalition who offered the major tribe in the private sector – the Roman Catholic one - the biggest handouts.

The interesting thing is that the non-government non-Catholic schools who, to date have been paid off in the State Aid auction and gone along for the ride, let the cat out of the bag.

Congratulations then to Fiona Ogilvy O’Donnell ( The Age 25/9) who highlighted sectarian bias in both ALP and Coalition Education policies.

However, it is not only non-Roman Catholic Church schools who suffered discrimination in the State Aid auction of major parties in search of the Roman Catholic vote. Public schools suffered once again.

One of the major reasons for the Coalition’s narrow victory reason was the deal done at a meeting between five Roman Catholic bishops and coalition officials and the covert campaign waged by Roman Catholic clerics, bureaucrats, parent and teacher organisations. What occurred illustrates the effective operation of a Church State within a secular State for its own material advantage. This is contrary to the operation of a compassionate, cohesive, heterogeneous and democratic state.

What the major parties have done in education is to further incite tribalism based on creed, colour, class, and ethnicity. Tribalism is fracturing our society. It is a far greater danger than racism. In actual fact, the political leaders and religious men, hypocrites all, are promoting tribalism whilst attacking racism.

Dr Kemp (3 0/9) is correct in claiming that the election promises by both the ALP and the coalition should take account of all promises. Taking the Enrolment Benchmark Adjustment into account, the ALP promises an extra $453.5 to Roman Catholic pupils; $320.00 to Public School pupils, and $43.9 to non-Roman Catholic School pupils. The Coalition promises an extra $627.5 to Roman Catholic pupils; $39.5 to public school pupils, and $68.9 to non-Roman Catholic schools pupils.

Public School supporters hoped that the ALP would win in preference to the Coalition.

But it is clear that whether the Coalition or Labour is in power, in Australia, the Roman Catholic church wins hands down to the disadvantage of the rest of the Australian community.

RAY NILSEN

PRESIDENT

5 October 1998-- This is the body of the announcement ...

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Last modified: November 19th, 1998

If you have a message for supporters of public education:
Please Contact: Ray Nilsen on (03) 9326 9277 or Fax: (03) 9326 9180	Postal address: P.O. BOX 4869 Melbourne Victoria Australia 3001	E-mail: adogs@adogs.info Or complete our feedback form.