14/9/04
Mark Latham's plan to restore fairness to schools funding was applauded today by WA's Education and Training Minister, Alan Carpenter.
Mr Carpenter said Mark Latham and Federal Labor's Great Australian Schools policy released today provided much needed increases in funding and support where it was most required - in needy schools.
"The extra $2.4billion is critical in ensuring all needy schools are properly resourced, regardless of whether they are State schools, Catholic or independent schools," Mr Carpenter said.
"The Liberal Party argument that schools should be well supported by Government, regardless of whether they were wealthy or not is nonsensical.
"Taxpayers' money should go where it is needed most."
Mr Carpenter said Mark Latham's Schools policy would put an end to the Howard Government pouring millions of dollars into elite private schools across the country.
"I have been a long-time critic of the Howard Government's schools funding formula, which favours the richest private schools across the country at the expense of needier independent, Catholic and State schools," he said.
"They cannot justify continuing to give away huge amounts to these schools that quite simply, do not need the money.
"Mark Latham's approach is right on track."
The Minister said the election of Mark Latham as Prime Minister would see an increase in Federal Government support for Western Australian State schools.
"There will be a 42 per cent increase in federal funding for State schools under a Latham Labor Government," he said.
"The policy will see targeted support for literacy and numeracy, students with disabilities, indigenous students and increased support for classroom teachers.
"The Gallop Government's education agenda will be greatly assisted by a far more co-operative approach between State and Federal Governments if Mark Latham is elected."
Mr Carpenter also welcomed Mr Latham's commitment to guarantee the funding of the 15 WA non-government schools which sat above the 21st Century Resource Standard.
He said none of the 67 high fee paying schools who would have their funding reduced under Federal Labor were in WA.
Mr Carpenter said the Gallop Government provided generous support to WA non-government schools through a needs-based approach.
A recent review of the WA State Government Funding model for non-government schools affirmed this approach.
The review included representatives from the Catholic Education Office and the Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia.
Minister's office: 9213 6800
