School funding fight flares again

EDUCATION funding is on the rise again as a political issue in the Corangamite electorate, with the Australian Education Union (AEU) launching a campaign and incumbent Liberal MP Sarah Henderson using a speech in Parliament to call for more state funding.

Earlier this month, the AEU launched its “Fair Funding Now!” campaign in Geelong at a meeting at Belmont High School.

The AEU claims Coalition cuts to federal education funding in Corangamite equate to an $18.6 million loss this year and next year.

“All children in Victoria should have the opportunity to get the highest quality public education, which includes the individual support and programs they need to reach their potential,” AEU Victorian branch president Meredith Peace said.

“Polling by the AEU shows the overwhelming majority of voters in 18 key marginal electorates, including Corangamite, believe federal funding for public schools is too low and that funding should be increased straight away.

“School funding is more important to voters than cutting company tax rates, with 79 per cent of respondents stating that increasing public school funding to the national schooling resource standard is better for Australia’s future than cutting company tax rates.”

Speaking in Parliament on Monday morning, Ms Henderson said the federal government provided 20 per cent of the funding to government schools, with the state government providing the rest and deciding how it was to be spent.

“In Corangamite, our funding to government schools increases from $40.1 million this year to $48.8 million in four years’ time and then grows to $63.1 million in 2027.

“That’s record and growing funding, which makes the campaign by the likes of the Australian Education Union false and a farce.”

Ms Henderson said Bellbrae Primary School needed between $6 million and $8 million for new classrooms, a new gym, art room, music room and library; Bellaire Primary School in Highton needed $10 million in infrastructure upgrades; and that Winchelsea Primary School should not have to use about $100,000 of a $352,000 capital grant to remove asbestos from its roof.