Chisholm principals, parents, teachers and support staff demand fair funding

Principals, parents, teachers and support staff will join with community members at the Chisholm launch of the Fair Funding Now! campaign in Blackburn South this evening.

The campaign aims to secure fairer funding for public schools and a reversal of the Turnbull government cuts which deny schools in the Chisholm electorate over $9.3 million in 2018 and 2019 alone.

“We are continuing to campaign for Fair Funding Now because a fair go for all children is needed now. We can’t afford to let another generation of children miss out,” said Meredith Peace, President of the Australian Education Union Victorian Branch.

“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.

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

“Results show school funding will be a key federal election vote decider, with 83% of respondents stating that public school funding is very important or fairly important to how they will vote.

“School funding is more important to voters than cutting company tax rates, with 79% 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.

 Australian Education Union Federal President Correna Haythorpe said: “We will be active across Australia, through social media, outdoor advertising, and targeted action in 18 marginal Federal seats including door knocking and phone banks.

“We will be active in every school community across Australia making the case for Fair Funding Now and we won’t back down until every child is given a fair go,” said Ms Haythorpe.

Media contact: Rosina Rayns 0401 991 792