Letter to the Hon. Peter Dutton MP and Senator Sarah Henderson

22 January 2025

The Hon. Peter Dutton MP
Leader of the Opposition
Parliament House
Canberra, ACT 2600

Senator Sarah Henderson
Shadow Minister for Education
Parliament House
Canberra, ACT 2600

Subject: Urgent Call for Election Commitments for Full Funding and Infrastructure Expenditure for Public Schools

Dear Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Education,

On behalf of the Federation of Parents and Citizens Associations of New South Wales, we write to urge the Coalition to commit to 100% funding for public schools and to commit to infrastructure expenditure in federal funding commitments. Further, we call on the Liberal Party and the National Party to commit to supporting families with auxiliary costs associated with education, so that any child in New South Wales will always have access to a genuinely free, high-quality education.

The Coalition has long advocated for parental choice and a strong education system that meets the diverse needs of Australian families. However, this principle must extend to ensuring that public schools—which educate the majority of Australian children—are fully funded and resourced along with other sectors. Coalition governments have consistently supported a fair and equitable education system for all to allow genuine parental choice. Every student deserves the opportunity to learn in a properly resourced and well-maintained school environment, and the time for prevarication has passed. Now is not the time to shift the blame for funding shortfalls to the states nor to blame the party in government.

Too often, debates about public school funding are framed as a zero-sum game—as though funding public schools comes at the expense of private education. This is a false dichotomy. Public school parents ask simply this: for the federal government to equitably invest in every student.
The ongoing use of discriminatory accounting practices, such as the 4% depreciation offset, undermines the principle of true 100% funding for public schools. Public schools are charged for expenses such as depreciation or to fund the cost of a regulatory body like NESA, that benefits all sectors. These accounting tricks must be eliminated if we are to achieve equitable funding. The P&C Federation stands firmly behind the goal of bringing every public school to 100% of the SRS, without exceptions or deductions.

There is no more critical investment than in our children and their futures. Every dollar spent on education now is an investment in a stronger, more equitable, and prosperous Australia. Falling short will only perpetuate cycles of inequity and disadvantage and shift the associated costs to future generations.

We urge the Coalition to:

1. Commit to cover the auxiliary costs of education and to ensure all families have access to a genuinely free and fully funded public education system.
2. Commit to achieving real 100% SRS funding for public schools and eliminate discriminatory accounting offsets like depreciation and regulatory charges.
3. Ensure Federal infrastructure funding is equitable, with per-student funding for public school facilities matching that of private schools.

We believe the Coalition has an opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to all Australian students and their families. Our children deserve nothing less than a government that prioritises their education and future. The path forward is clear; we urge you to take decisive action.

Yours sincerely,
Aresha Quaass
President
Federation of Parents and Citizens Associations of New South Wales

Contact:
Aresha Quaass
President
aresha.quaass@pandc.org.au

Gemma Quinn
Chief Executive Officer
gemma.quinn@pandc.org.au

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