Greens back ACCI call for more government investment in education

"The Greens have been saying for over 10 years that education at both levels of government is being under funded. Where we disagree with ACCI is on the level of investment needed and on the structural changes they advocate," Senator Nettle said.

"ACCI has called for an increase of $2.6bn over 3 years from the federal government but this would still leave Australia way down the list of OECD countries in terms of public investment in education.

"The Greens have called for a $7bn annual injection of federal money which would lift government spending on education in Australia to around the average for OECD countries public expenditure on education.

"As important as the increase money is where it goes and The Greens are concerned that ACCI are promoting further privatisation of education through the introduction of vouchers in higher education and HECS and FEE HELP style loans for TAFE and other vocational education.

"Investment should not undermine equality of access or quality of output. Investing in things like voucher schemes which drive the proliferation of private education providers necessarily threatens the viability of public institutions which in turn threatens access and quality.

"The Greens do not support a structural role for business in setting school curriculum. ACCI should leave curriculum decisions to the experts."

Contact - Jon Edwards 0428 213 146.