Press Releases

Simon Birmingham, School Vouchers and the Public Reaction

Press Release 624

In his 2007 maiden speech SImon Birmingham trotted out the voucher privatisation rhetoric, weeping crocodile tears for ‘needy’ parents as follows:

It is time that at least one state, in at least one region, trialled the implementation of school vouchers – affording all families the opportunity of choice, the opportunity to allocate the government funding for their child to pay the fees to the school of their choice…The neediest should not be the ones to miss out on choice.

In 2012 he also expressed support for US-style charter schools (privately managed public schools).

Fees in Public Schools undermine Free Public Education

Press Release 623

Australian parents and taxpayers are entitled to, indeed they are owed, a genuinely free, secular and universal public school system!

But Principals of underfunded public schools are now desperate enough to undermine the very concept of a free public education. As governments press forward with the privatization of public education, isolated principals imitate their more fortunate private school counterparts and charge fees for essentials.

Islamic Radicalisation and Religious Proselitizing in Public Schools

Press Release 622

It is highly questionable whether public schools can be blamed for the actions of radicalised teenagers. Blame for violence lies with the perpetrators and those who corrupt them.

However, as DOGS have argued, religious radicalisation of teenagers in a public school coud be one of the unintended consequences of ANY religious group, however genuine and well-meaning, obtaining the right to enter public schools for the purpose of promoting ANY religious beliefs This is why our public schools must be free, universal and SECULAR.

Bill Shorten, Penalty Rates and Private Education

Press Release 621

Public School supporters have found Bill Shorten falls short as a Labor leader when it comes to promoting public education. He claims that penalty rates are the difference for some people being able to afford to send their children to a private school or not.

"For people on 40 and 50 and 60,000 dollars a year, penalty rates are the difference as to whether they can afford to send their kids to a private school, whether or not they can afford to pay the mortgage," he said on Monday.

Archbishop Hart Mistakes Freedom of Religion for Freedom to Disciminate at Public Expense

Press Release 620

Archibishop Hart of Melbourne demands religious freedom for Catholics and Catholic school teachings on sexuality. He also argues against those questioning Catholic discrimination in employment in Catholic institutions. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/extend-tolerance-to-catholic-tea...

Strangely, Hart does not fall back on the religious freedom clause – Section 116 – of the Australian Constitution. But then, the Catholic Church is not about ‘freedom of conscience’ or freedom ‘from’ religion. He starts his article, ‘Extend tolerance to Catholic teachings too’, in The Australian of 1 October 2015 with that very odd, selfish freedom, namely ‘freedom of choice’.

Simon Birmingham Federal Minister for Education : Who is this?

Press Release 618

The most, perhaps the only positive thing DOGS can say about Simon Birmingham is that he attended public schools. So, hopefully, he has more idea than most of his Liberal Party colleagues about public education.

That said, there is to date, no evidence of any change of federation education in relation to funding. And the Assistant Minister, Mr Scott Ryan’s main interest appears to be Catholic Education. But then, in 2007-8 Ryan was doing research in the Institute of Public Affairs!

Simon Birmingham has indicated concern over the rorts in the private vocational sector, but there is no evidence of his commitment to anything other than the tired Liberal market ideology. Birmingham’s plans include pushing for the Commonwealth to take over existing State responsibilities for funding vocational education.

Malcolm Turnbull is a Member of – and Servant of the Wealthy Corporate and Religious Sector.

Press Release 617

Public schools can expect little consideration from Turnbull. His experience and support of schools for the common good rather than the private privilege is exceedingly limited.
On his journey to the Lodge, Turnbull has concentrated on having a foot in the camps of the wealthy and powerful, until – with great wealth – he has become a member of both. A scholarship boy from Sydney Grammar, and Catholic convert, Turnbull has limited experience and no feeling for the values of public education.

Washington Supreme Court: Charter Schools not Common schools and cannot Receive Public Funding

Press Release 616

In a 6-3 decision, the Washington Supreme Court found "significant portions" of voter-approved Initiative 1240, the Charter School Act, unconstitutional.The high court said that charter schools do not qualify as "common" schools and cannot receive public funding.

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Charter schools can never be Public or Advance the Common Good

Press Release 614

Profiteers are not satisfied with making profits out of the child-care, religious, TAFE and university sector. They are knocking at the door of Australia’s public primary and secondary systems.Not only is David Leyonhjelm, Liberal Democrats senator for NSW, wanting to introduce for-profit schools in Australia.

The right wing think tank, the Centre for Independent Studies in a Report entitled: ‘Free to Choose Charter Schools: How Charter and For-Profit Schools can boost Public Education’, is arguing that US - style privately-owned charter schools should be rolled out in Australia. Such schools are funded by the government and run by private entities .They have full autonomy over the school finances, staffing and curriculum. http://www.cis.org.au/pdf/rr6.pdf. To label them ‘public’ schools is mischievous and misleading.