Fears for future of Catholic students

Molan fiance takes stand in court

AN explosive showdown is expected in court today as the fiance of Footy Show presenter Erin Molan takes the stand two days after she was accused of having a relationship with the millionaire accountant husband of TV star Kelly Landry.

Homicide detective Sean Ogilvy is to give evidence in support of Anthony Bell, who is fighting an application for an apprehended violence order taken out by police on behalf of his estranged wife.

The court has heard that Ms Landry, 37, accused her husband of having an inappropriate relationship with Ms Molan as they celebrated his Sydney to Hobart race win last year on his yacht Perpetual Loyal.

Yesterday Mr Bell took the stand denying that he twice assaulted his wife or that he was “financially mean” by withholding money from her. CATHOLIC students may be forced into Queensland’s state school system if the federal government’s proposed Gonski 2.0 funding model is passed.

That is the fear of Queensland Catholic Education Commission committee member Carmel Nash as details about the overhaul emerged. She said the sector was in a state of confusion and did not know how it would be affected because Education Minister Simon Birmingham had not consulted before he unveiled his 10-year plan on Tuesday.

Ms Nash said there would be no option but to increase school fees if non- government funding was reduced, which could force students into the public system. “For some families that choice may be taken away if we have to raise fees and thereby how will those they be able to cope?” she said.