Already it is becoming clear that there are significant differences on the most important issue: the future funding of our schools.
Unfortunately, the Coalition’s first major announcement on education in May was that it would cut $3.1 billion worth of programs. Those cuts include $968 million for new trades training centres in secondary schools and $700 million for computers in schools.
The effect of that will be that 120,000 secondary students across Australia who have not yet received laptop computers through the Labor Government’s program will miss out.
In addition 900 secondary schools will miss out on getting their own centre for undertaking trades training or being funded to set up a centre in combination with other local schools.
Those cuts are disappointing considering the importance of education, not only for individuals and families, but for the future economic and social prosperity of our country. All students should have access to computers, not just those whose families can afford them.
In addition, not everyone will go on to further study after school and trades training is a good way to keep many children engaged and allow them to begin developing the skills they will need to be successful in their chosen area.
In another blow to supporters of public education, an Abbott Government would keep the current federal funding system, first introduced under John Howard, which heavily favours private schools.
The Opposition Education spokesman, Christopher Pyne, told the Christian Schools National Policy Forum in May that the Howard Government was a great friend of the private school sector and, if elected, a new Coalition Government will “take up the reins where the Howard Government left off”.
That is despite the fact the federal funding system has been widely criticised as inequitable and unsustainable, delivering up to $7,000 a year per private school student compared to $1,000 a year per public school student. In addition, deals struck by the Howard Government mean half of all private schools receive more funding than they would be entitled to if the funding formula was correctly applied.
Teachers were disappointed that Labor kept this system in place, especially considering the primary obligation of all governments is to adequately and appropriately fund our public schools.
However, Labor has now committed to a full review of this system and an expert group it has established will make recommendations on a new funding model next year.
The Greens have also called for a new funding model, including a significant investment in public education.
Of course the largest education initiative of the Labor Government has been the $16 billion program of school rebuilding – the largest one-off commitment ever to education by the Commonwealth.
There have obviously been some issues with the rapid rollout of this program but the overwhelming response from teachers and school communities has been positive.
After voting in parliament against schools getting this funding, the Coalition has now decided if it wins office that it will continue the program.
However, it will direct the money straight to schools, rather than through state and territory governments. Any savings that delivers may or may not be kept by the Government, Mr Pyne said in June.
The Coalition is expected to make further announcements in the lead up to the election but, given what we have seen so far, it may not be good news.
Angelo Gavrielatos is Federal President, Australian Education Union
R@W News is a forum for news, analysis and commentary about rights at work and related issues. The opinions presented in R@W News are those of the author, and do not necessarily represent policies or views of the ACTU.