Support for Public Education and the National Day of Action

Some high profile Australians have offered their support for the campaign for better public education funding and the National Day of Action on November 15.

Our commitment to equality demands proper resourcing for state schools.  Let us hope that the Gonski Review rises to the challenge of ensuring that educational excellence is available to all our children: upon this, depends the fair advance of Australia.

Geoffrey Robertson Q.C.

 

A mind is a terrible thing to waste. That motto of the American United Negro College Fund could not be more apt for Australia. Can we afford to waste good, young minds by failing to provide adequate resources for the open access public schools and universities that educate the great majority of our young people?

Professor Peter Doherty

Nobel Laureate

 

As a proudly public educated Mum with three sons in public education I wholeheartedly support the National Day of Action for Public Education.

I am in equal part horrified by the appalling wages, poor conditions, inadequate resources and shameful funding in our public system as I am inspired by the commitment and brilliance of our teachers, students and school communities.  

Education is the responsibility of the whole of society because the outcome affects us all.

Catherine Deveny 

 Writer

 

The St Vincent de Paul Society stands in solidarity with all who are pushed to the margins of society.

We know from sad experience that the denial of the right to education is one of the key elements in social exclusion. We therefore unequivocally support the call for a national approach that puts a well-resourced, universal, free public education system at the centre of our nation’s investment in the future.

Our public education system should be so well-resourced that it be considered the pinnacle of good education. It should be a space in which young people are afforded the very best opportunities to contribute to society in the long term, developing their talents and broadening their knowledge in a fast-changing world.

This should be the cornerstone of a fair and socially just Australia. We are all the poorer as a nation in the absence of this goal.

 Dr John Falzon

Chief Executive Officer

St Vincent de Paul Society

National Council of Australia

 

 

“The public schools are the crucible of democratic, non-dogmatic and egalitarian values in Australia.  I therefore wait in hope and expectation for the Gonski report and for strong action by our Government and Parliament to right the wrong of the past three decades. I am one beneficiary of public education, at least, who will never cease to speak up for public education and for the marvellous teachers and other staff who work in public education and who continue to maintain the values that I received at school.”

The Hon. Michael Kirby

Former High Court Judge

 

“The Prime Minister herself has said 'demography is not destiny' and the key to ensure the opportunity and indeed the equality of outcomes that aspiration requires is the funding necessary to ensure quality public education. Australia's children deserve our commitment and that of our politicians as citizens, parents and grandparents to ensure their future and one central pillar of that democratic guarantee is the adequate funding of quality public education.”

Sharan Burrow

General Secretary

International Trade Union Confederation

 

“As a parent of  twin daughters thriving in their local school, I support the dedication of public teachers and educators and wish them every success in the  National Day of Action for Public Education. I would also urge all those involved in the review of schools funding to ensure that public education is given the recognition and resources it needs to continue as the bedrock of a democratic, inclusive and just society.”

Jonathan Biggins

Actor, director and writer

 

“Investment in public education is the best investment we can make in Australia's future.  We trust the Gonski school funding review acknowledges this fundamental truth, and that the Prime Minister means it when she says, Every child deserves a quality education.’”

Maralyn Parker

Education columnist, author and former teacher

 

 

The National Welfare Rights Network calls for the federal government to greatly increase its investment in public education.  It is a critical investment if Australia is to break the cycle of entrenched social exclusion occurring in many communities across Australia.

The Network comprises 16 member organisations which provide free legal services regarding social security and family assistance law to people in receipt of Centrelink payments.  Many of our clients and their families are attempting to survive on subsistence levels of income.   A great public school in their local area is an essential service which has the potential to create hope for the future.

Maree O'Halloran AM

President

National Welfare Rights Network