AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT FUNDING OF RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS

ONE RULE FOR HOME, ANOTHER FOR ABROAD.

Social dangers inherent in the funding of sectarian education were recently highlighted by Mr Howard and Mr Downer when they realised that Australian taxpayer's money had been funding extremist Islamic Schools in Indonesia.

( The Age, Thursday October 31, 2002 p. 10).

DOGS were delighted to discover Mr Downer deploring the fact  that in Indonesia

" ..the economic crisis had cut funds to Public Education and caused a drift of children into extremist Islamic colleges. "

In the discussion related to Downer's statements journalists indicated that recent research shows that more children in the region are being educated in similar (Islamic boarding) schools because of the failure of States to provide an adequate (State) education. One analyst declared  :

"...parents are increasingly sending their children to these schools for both financial reasons and because of their disciplined standards."

It was furthermore noted that there was a "declining public investment in public education in the region."

As a result of discussions between Mr Downer, the Us Secretary of State Colin Powell, Australia's defence Minister Robert Hill and his American counterpart, Donald Rumsfeld, Australia and the United States are considering foreign aid to support public education.

The Australian newspaper ( 31 October 2002 p. 7) reported the Australian government's foreign educational policy reported in similar terms:

" Australia and the US are considering a new counter terrorist operation in the wake of the Bali bombing - boosting aid to Indonesian State schools to keep young people out of extremist Islamic colleges that could be 'recruiting grounds for terrorism. '

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said..a lack of funds in Indonesia and other regional nations for education had allowed a drift of students into the classrooms of colleges teaching extremist Islamic philosophy and practices.

....We should do what we can to support the State Education system. "

BRAVO !!! Mr Downer.

Now what about the goose and the gander. What about bringing this very sensible policy worked out by our forefathers in the nineteenth century back home to Australia !

The same concerns he holds for Indonesia he should have for his own country. Or does he believe that the pot can call the kettle black?

What does Downer, Howard and Nelson say about the diversion of public funds from public education  into religious schools which divide children on the basis of race, class, colour, creed and above all, ability to pay ever increasing private fees?