2015 State Election Election Update No. 3 For member schools and their communities 29 January 2015 Major Party Respond to ISQ State Election Statement The LNP and the ALP both responded to the four priority areas in the ISQ State Election Statement. Links to their letters are on ISQ’s State Election webpage they are also attached to the end of this Election Update. State Election Commitments – Schooling The Queensland Electoral Commission has registered seven political parties in Queensland. Outlined below are commitments released by these parties during the 2015 State election campaign. Where no specific schooling policies have been released, detailed are provided of general policies or approaches to education as sourced through their policy statements and materials. Links to the Education Policies of the Major Parties (LNP & ALP) can be found on ISQ’s State Election webpage Liberal National Party (LNP) LNP Policy Financial Commitment Policy Details Independent Schools Quality Teacher Attraction Plan $16.255 million 200 Bachelor of Education Scholarships for OP 1 and 2 students; 300 Masters qualifications to enable teachers to gain specialist status in areas like Maths and Science; and extra time for teachers to undertake professional development and further education. No specific reference to non-state schools in the policy. Future Schools Fund $1 billion (Funding will be provided through the Strong Choices asset leasing plan). $700 million to provide up to 22 new schools; $300 million to upgrade existing school infrastructure. The Future Schools Fund will benefit non-state schools, although no specific details of funding allocations to the independent sector are provided. More support for Rural & Remote Students $380,000 on-off increase. The Remote Area Tuition Allowance has been increased by more than 10 per cent which includes a one-off increase of $380,000 for this year. Max. allowances will increase to more than$3,400 /primary student almost $4,900/secondary student & almost $7,000 per SWD. Queensland Labor (ALP) ALP Policy Financial Commitment Policy Details Independent Schools Letting Teachers Teach $6 million over three years To develop new classifications for excellent teachers. QIRC would be asked to determine actual salaries of Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers. No specific reference to non-state schools in the policy, however, potential flow-on effects for independent schools. Additional Teachers in State Schools $139 million over three years An additional 875 state school teachers above the more than 1,600 already planned. Includes 275 additional specialist high school teachers. Applies to State schools only. Potential flow-on of funding from the initiative to independent schools through the basket-nexus arrangements. Guidance Offices in State Schools $9 million over three years An additional 45 fulltime guidance officer positions over three years in State schools. Applies to State schools only. Potential flow-on of funding from the initiative to independent schools through the basket-nexus arrangements. Specialist School Nurses $12 million over four years The specialist nurses would help identify any hearing and vision problems in schoolchildren and also provide advice on nutrition. No specific reference to non-state schools. Capital Assistance $37 million a year over three years Capital grants for the non-state schooling sector in each of the 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 financial years. Specific reference to non-state schools in ALP response letter to ISQ’s election statement. Authorised by David Robertson, Executive Director, Independent Schools Queensland, Spring Hill 4000. www.isq.qld.edu.au P: (07) 3228 1515 F: (07)3228 1275 E: [email protected] Page 1 of 2 2015 State Election - Election Update No. 3 Queensland Greens The Queensland Greens have not released any specific schooling policies as part of the 2015 State election. Their Education policy (adopted October 2014) lists 11 principles including that “all people are entitled to free, wellfunded and high quality, life-long education and training”; “Government should be the primary education provider at all levels”; and “Government has a primary responsibility to fund the public education system to provide high quality education to all students”. It also list forty-one aims in relation to education including: • • • Increase funding to public education through funding models for all sectors of the education system that prioritise public education; Ensure that the viability and diversity of existing public schools is not endangered by the development of new non-government schools; Ensure the same accountability and transparency frameworks for public funding are required of nongovernment schools as are required of government schools. Family First Party Queensland The Family First Party Queensland has not released any specific schooling policies as part of the 2015 State election. Their general policy on choice in schooling states a commitment to choice in education and to supporting legislation that provides an equitable distribution of funding to both public and private schools. It also recognises, respects and affirms the right of parents to choose a school for their children in which values that align with their own are affirmed and promoted. Katter’s Australian Party Katter’s Australian Party has not released any specific schooling policies as part of the 2015 State election. Their policy on education states that reforms will ensure that all Australians, regardless of their circumstance, will receive a world class education; that means that not only will these reforms ensure that regardless of the school or State of enrolment, that students will receive the same benefits from the education system. Their guiding principles include: • • • • Better utilisation of existing funding, more efficiently and productively; A more grassroots approach to education; A focus on providing a solid foundation of reading, writing and mathematics; and Recruit, promote, reward and most of all, celebrate, great teachers. One Nation Queensland One Nation Queensland has not released any specific schooling policies as part of the 2015 State election. There are no references to schooling in their general policy documents. Palmer United Party The Palmer United Party has not released any specific schooling policies as part of the 2015 State election. Their national policy platform states Australians promote the fundamental importance of education and training at all levels and the benefits of a vibrant and inclusive participation in the arts. They recognise the importance of education in supporting democratic institutions and a progressive society. The Party will: • ensure the widest possible freedom in choice in education, promoted by diversity of systems and schools; • ensure that all children have access to the best possible education, irrespective of sex, race, religion, socioeconomic background or place of residence; • establish standards of literacy and numeracy, and accountability mechanisms for their achievement; • help students overcome limitations and disadvantages by fostering choice in education, accommodating diversity in needs and aspirations, and encouraging excellence; and • decentralise the control and administration of schooling by empowering local systems and respecting school communities. Other Useful Information LIST OF CANDIDATES – http://www.ecq.qld.gov.au/elections/state/State2015/candidates.html POLLING BOOTH LOCATIONS - http://www.ecq.qld.gov.au/2015QLD.aspx?id=11933&terms=polling%20booths PROOF OF ID - http://www.ecq.qld.gov.au/2015QLD.aspx?id=11888 Authorised by David Robertson, Executive Director, Independent Schools Queensland, Spring Hill 4000. www.isq.qld.edu.au P: (07) 3228 1515 F: (07)3228 1275 E: [email protected] Page 2 of 2