Government rejects proposal in discussion paper to means-test public schooling

Perth : The Federal Government has rejected a discussion paper’s proposal to make wealthy parents pay to send their children to public schools. The idea was among the options floated in a Federal Government discussion paper considering a radical overhaul of the nation’s education system, which has been circulated to state and territory governments.
The paper suggests four options:
Giving states and territories full responsibility for all schools Making states and territories fund public schools while the Federal Government funds non-government schools Making the Commonwealth the main funder of all schools
The last plan, part of the green paper on federation reform, would see funding “adjusted for student need and the ability of families to make a contribution”.
But this morning Education Minister Christopher Pyne said the Federal Government would not support a means test.”Charging wealthy parents for their children to attend public schools is not the government’s policy. I don’t support it,” he tweeted.
“If the states and territories want to charge wealthy parents fees for public schools that’s a matter for them.
“The Australian Government does not and will not support a means test for public education. Full stop. End of story.”
Prime Minister Tony Abbott reinforced the Government’s position during Question Time.
“If the states and territories want to charge wealthy parents fees for public schools, that is a matter for them,” Mr Abbott said.
“Charging wealthy parents for their children to attend public schools is not this Government’s policy. It is not now, it won’t ever be,” he said.
Treasurer Joe Hockey said means-testing “isn’t going to happen”.”It’s not our policy, it’s not our policy, the states run the schools and it’s obviously not something that we’re interested in,” Mr Hockey said.Prime Minister Tony Abbott did not directly address the issue of means-testing earlier in the day.
“I think it’s good that some of the states and territories at least are thinking creatively about how they can responsibly fund their operations,” Mr Abbott said.
“Whether state or territory governments choose to change the way schools are funded in their states and territories is absolutely a matter for them.”