12-05-2025
Jacinta Allan has let down Labor's traditional voters
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EDUCATION FUNDING
As a public school secondary teacher for over 40 years, I never thought I would see a Labor state government 'secretly' withdraw public school funding (' Victoria secretly slices $2.4b from public schools, delays funding promise ', 12/5). Where have the Labor Party values of equal opportunity and a decent, fair education for all disappeared to? This latest 'cash grab' to balance a budget is disgraceful.
The premier should know that people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds who may have traditionally been Labor voters will remember this attack on public education at the forthcoming state election. The recent narrow Labor win in the federal Bendigo electorate that overlaps with Jacinta Allan's own state Bendigo electorate should be a reminder to the premier of the need to stay in touch with voters.
Leanne Salisbury, Torquay
Defending Victoria
And here we are thinking that Labor governments are trying to reduce inequity in education across the country. Opposition education spokeswoman Jess Wilson was very critical of Labor's 'hypocrisy' – perhaps she could press for the cessation of overfunding to private schools until the public system gets the funding it needs? As with infrastructure, Victoria manages to be underfunded by the Commonwealth. Will the new Labor federal MPs go to bat for Victorian public education?
Chris Pearson, Kyneton
Lacking in persuasion
One of the defining characteristics of the government led by Daniel Andrews was the lack of public division reported in the media, in contrast to the Liberal opposition. The Age's report on funding arrangements for education, shows Jacinta Allan has no such luxury. I can't think of any good reason why the Victorian government would knock back increased federal recurrent funding even if it had to increase its own share. This recurrent funding pays for teachers' salaries which, because their last EBA was negotiated during COVID, has left Victoria's state teachers way behind most other states. A larger than normal increase can be expected. Cutting capital expenditure, be it on level crossing removals or the Suburban Rail Loop, cannot substitute for this recurrent expenditure increase. It appears from the story that Education Minister and Deputy Premier Ben Carroll was unsuccessful in gaining support for a smaller cut within the budget and finance committee. He should have been arguing for the full amount, and his failure to get either result does not auger well for his persuasiveness in any other position.
Paul Kennelly, Caulfield North
Crossbench value
With education one of the perceived strengths of a Labor government, it was with great dismay that I read The Age 's report. This type of low-profile defunding can only occur if the opposition is ineffective and there is no crossbench, as is the case in the Victorian parliament at present. The crossbench at the federal level has been very active and a great addition to public discourse. I am concerned that the change in funding laws for independents at the federal level will have the same effect as it has obviously had in the Victorian parliament and I call on the Labor Party, to reverse these changes and allow the crossbench to flourish.
Jan Downing, Hawthorn East
Seeking a third option
As a grandparent and former educator, I was shocked to read of the Victorian government's withholding of Gonski funding. While opposition education spokesperson Jess Wilson expresses rage, I wonder whether her kids, and those of other Coalition shadow ministers, go to government schools. Bring on the independents in 2026. Given that the Victorian government could find $350 million to upgrade Albert Park's Formula 1 pit lane (' Huge F1 pit lane upgrade will give Albert Park more courts ... ' 12/5) the 'The Education State' number plate is now a sad joke. Clearly, 'The Pit Stop State' is more appropriate.
Ray Peck, Hawthorn
THE FORUM
Times change
Perhaps the 'Dutton delusion' referred to by Sean Kelly (' Many election myths were believed, then busted ', 12/5) wasn't a delusion at all. Perhaps the polls and the media had accurately interpreted the zeitgeist in the electorate prior to Trump going mad and causing a collective rethink of indefinable proportions. As a thought experiment, what do we think might be the chances of the Voice referendum passing if it were held today?
Bob Pelekanakis, Seaford
