Tuesday 14 May 2002

"In a Budget which will make life harder for ordinary Australians, one group that has not been asked to share the burden is the rich private schools who will enjoy funding increases of up to 43.5% as a result of tonight's Budget. The Federal axing of Asian Language and Studies programs in schools along with cutbacks to a whole range of existing entitlements for battling Australians will lead to savings that are being passed on to elite private schools, which are now the largest recipients of welfare in Australia," said Mr Fitzgerald.

Some of the rich private school winners from tonight's Budget include:

Toorak College [VIC] ............. 32.92% increase
The King's School [NSW] ....... 30.49% increase
St Peter's College [SA] ............ 28.99% increase
Scotch College [VIC] .............. 27.07% increase
Wesley College [VIC] ............. 26.88% increase

"The Treasurer, Mr Costello has even ensured an extra 22.40% for his old school, Carey Baptist, out of his Budget tonight," said Mr Fitzgerald.

"Meanwhile TAFE, the educational choice of 1.3 million Australians, continues to be starved of funds. The continued neglect of TAFE is extraordinary given its vital role in providing new employment opportunity and skills for Australians in a rapidly changing economy and society. As a result of tonight's Budget tens of thousands of Australians will be turned away from TAFE. This will especially hit the disadvantaged and rural Australia."

"Some of the programs for Indigenous education announced in tonight's Budget are welcome but are extremely modest and pale in comparison to the government largesse handed out to the most privileged sector of education. The educational needs of Indigenous Australian children are overwhelming and urgent. Massive support and resourcing are needed to seriously address the issues in Indigenous education."

"The educational priorities of this Federal Government remain obscene."