Public schools need Federal certainty: Abbott must rule out reform paper changes

The Australian Greens say the Abbott Government must immediately rule out a cutting all Federal funding for public schools, as proposed in the Federation Green Paper leaked today.

Spokesperson for Schools Senator Penny Wright said the Federal Government has an essential role to play in school education.

"The Australian Greens are calling on the Abbott Government to immediately rule out walking away from public education," Senator Wright said.

"It is the government's job to govern for all - they must not abandon the 2 million Australian children in public schools.

"This is a vital test on just who this government cares about - the wealthy and privileged, or all Australians?

"We are one country. Why should a child in South Australia not receive the same opportunities as students in Victoria?

"Australian families need to know this government won't leave their child's education at the mercy of cash-strapped state governments.

"More than 80,000 students move interstate each year. In the global economy, it makes no sense to have different standards in different states. 

"The Federation paper is asking the wrong questions. It is looking at the political problem of who's in charge and who gets the blame - not the policy problem of how we can make every school in Australia a great school."