Press Releases

New Catholic School given Preference over new Public School in Ballarat, Victoria

Press Release 663

Victorian children can no longer regard a public education in a public school as their right. The Victorian Lib-Lab governments, along with their federal counterparts, have provided preferential funding of religious schools to the severe detriment of proper public provision. Now, in of all places, Ballarat - the Catholic church is rewarded for shocking behaviour with a new school while public schools are overcrowded.

What does the Election result mean for Public Education ?

Press Release 662

Mr Turnbull has scraped home and is announcing this as a mandate for the Coalition budget and policies. But, given a slim majority, the cross bench and adverse Senate, has he won an election or been given a poison chalice ?
Australian citizens wandered further and further away from the major parties. Why? Have they rejected the neo-liberal mess created by three decades of lib-lab governments?
DOGS note that while the political group – the DLP - that initiated State Aid in the 1960s, together with their offspring, are in political disarray, and while the more public education friendly Labor Party and green senators have strong representation in the House of Representatives and hold the balance of power in the Senate, the outlook for public education is not as bleak as it might seem.

Worried about Privatisation of Medicare? The Lib-Labs have been Privatising Public Education by stealth for 50 Years

Press Release 660

Privatisation of Medicare by the Liberal Government has become part of the Labor Party campaign. But nobody dares to talk about the ongoing privatisation of public education, particularly in Victoria.

For this might open up the REAL funding problem, namely, State Aid pouring with no strings attached into private schools that duplicate and undermine our cash-strapped public school facilities.

City Schools for City Kids

Press Release 658

Parents have always had to make a lot of noise and develop political clout in order to obtain, maintain, and save their public schools. Even middle class inner city parents are discovering this. They are on the move. DOGS received this email from the City Schools for City Kids group.

Parent Power: Demanding Public Schools for Inner Melbourne

Press Release 657

For decades, it was assumed that people, couples and children would not live in inner Melbourne. Schools would no longer be necessary. They closed most of the schools inherited from previous generations. Short-sighted, crazy Kennett led the charge, and in the case of Richmond secondary college, local parents and teachers (not the union and certainly not Trades Hall) saved the school.

Public Schools Beware Hedge Funds and the Charter School Movement

Press Release 656

International Capital - Hedge Funds are wandering the world for a safe profit making haven. Public school systems are fair game. In the USA they have invented the Charter School movement.

Public school supporters in Australia and especially members of public school Councils in Australia should beware hedge funds bearing gifts.

Birmingham and Turnbull and looking to the UK and America for models of privatisation.