Plibersek hits out at Grammar
But Labor colleague and ex-student Marles all quiet
LABOR’S education spokeswoman has launched a broadside against Geelong Grammar, the alma mater of colleague Richard Marles.
The Corio MP declined to be drawn on Tanya Plibersek’s criticism of the Federal Government pumping an extra $16 million into the elite school over the next decade as part of its Gonski education reforms.
Ms Plibersek said claims that Gonski reduced funding to Australia’s richest private schools was wrong and singled out Geelong Grammar for special mention.
“(The Gonski Bill) reduces the funding to 24 elite schools and then a whole lot of other elite private schools will actually get huge funding increases,” she told the ABC.
“The King’s School will get $19 million extra over the decade compared with what they would have got under us. Geelong Grammar, $16 million extra.
“I mean, it reduces the funding to some elite schools and then increases the funding to other elite schools.”
Mr Marles attended Geelong Grammar in the late 1970s and early 1980s. His late father Don Marles was a teacher and house master for more than two decades at the school.
“Malcolm Turnbull is pitting one school against another for funding,” the Labor MP said.
“Labor believes schools should be funded based on need. Malcolm Turnbull’s schools funding policy is not fair, not needs based, and it’s not sector blind.”
Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson said Mr Marles should be ashamed for not supporting the Federal Government’s school funding Bill.
“Corio MP Richard Marles has voted against the biggest ever boost to funding ever de- livered for schools in his electorate and across the nation,” the Liberal MP said.
“Every government, independent and Catholic school across the country, including the school Richard Marles attended, will have its funding assessed by the same needsbased principles as David Gonski recommended.”
Geelong Grammar was contacted for comment but did not respond in time for deadline. Meanwhile, the Meredith Catholic Parish confirmed this week that a new primary school will open for the start of thet 2018 school year on the si site of the old Bannockburn Primary School. Details including the school name, the appointment of a principal and enrolments will be made available prior to next year’s opening.