Independent MLA Thomas Emerson has criticised ACT Labor for abandoning their values after they voted against an amendment in the Assembly calling on the ACT Government to address declining public school enrolments.
With the support of the Canberra Liberals, the ACT Greens and Fiona Carrick MLA, Mr Emerson successfully amended a motion from the Canberra Liberals yesterday on public school budgets. His amendment called on the Government to invest sufficiently in the ACT public education system to arrest declining public school enrolments.
Mr Emerson said he was surprised that ACT Labor was the only party to vote against a move to bolster the public education system.
“I thought Labor was supposed to be the party of public education,” said Mr Emerson.
“Public school enrolments in the ACT have declined year-on-year over the last four years while non-government school enrolments have grown. This should be of serious concern to a Labor Government.
“Descoping promised upgrades, as we’ve seen at schools like Majura Primary, will only accelerate this trend. I’ve heard from several families who have now pulled their children out of Majura and moved them to nearby non-government schools precisely because of issues with the public school’s facilities.
“Canberrans expect their Government to do something about declining public school enrolments. It’s a failure of leadership to pretend this isn’t an issue, which is why it was incredibly disappointing for Labor to oppose my call to address declining enrolments.
“Teachers, principals and support staff aren’t to blame — they’re doing everything they can to deliver for our kids, and often they’re burning out along the way. What’s missing is genuine leadership from the Government to provide appropriate resources and coordination across the system. For too long, each school has been left in isolation to develop its own teaching resources and manage its own budget. We’re even hearing of P&Cs having to raise their own funds for critical school improvements.
“Without concerted action, we risk creating a tiered society where access to quality education is only for the wealthy. The Government can start by following through on promised school upgrades and moving more quickly on the Strong Foundations reforms.
“When people vote for Labor, they think they’re voting for a party that stands for the universal right to quality public education. ACT Labor’s own party platform includes a commitment to ‘guarantee that government schools are funded so that they can provide the quality education programs which the community expects.’ Apparently that commitment was abandoned in the Assembly yesterday.
“Labor voters will be scratching their heads to see the Australian Education Union, Community and Public Sector Union, ACT Greens, Canberra Liberals and the independents all on a unity ticket for investment in public education while ACT Labor refused to come on board,” concluded Mr Emerson.
Media Enquiries: Will Devine at [email protected] or 0402 183 296.
About the Vote:
You can find Mr Emerson’s amendment here (p. 361) which was opposed in a division by ACT Labor despite being supported by the Canberra Liberals, the ACT Greens, and independent MLA Fiona Carrick.