Of course the problems are exacerbated by the tax exemption provided 'as of right' to religious institutions as though everything they do is a charitable work, without any oversight.

Private schools run by religious institutions I am sure are gaining tax advantages that should be counted as part of the cost to tax payers.

mikk "Private schools with shooting ranges, heated olympic pools, stables, yachts, tennis courts, gymnasiums and masses of computers and IT."

you're forgetting the personal servants all these kids have following them around, and somewhere to park their private jets and helicopters

get real .. stables, yachts .. in your dreams mate.

Look let's face it the parents of those kids pay more tax than you could ever even imagine, and then you want them to not only pay taxes to send your kids to school, but then pay again to send their own to school. You get that don't you - that they pay bucketloads of tax, so maybe they deserve some government handouts as well.

What if they said, fine, we'll pay for our own kids complete education, but reduce my tax by that portion? you'd be screaming they were getting a tax break you weren't getting

I suspect though, it's all just jealousy anyway - the kids in those schools all have to work hard, they have to pass exams and study the same as others at public schools

you seem to hate the kids for what you imagine the parents do

so that's socialism is it .. you can keep it.

Anyway, I rest assured nothing will change, especially the whining noise from all those that think someone else is getting something they are not entitled to - they might think the same of you.

typical class war politics of the ALP and the left .. I imagine you all teach it to your kids as early as they can listen to your war stories at the kitchen table, another generation of haters and whiners.

Well said once again Jane.

And perhaps some of those commenting (like SM) would like to read the article written by Professor Richard Teese in this morning's THE AGE, to clarify some of the rubbish they are trying to spin.

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/suffer-the-children-left-behind-20100815-12557.html

ah yes pgr, let's drag everyone down to the lowest level, just because there is one.

That's Richard Teese's schtick, his trade goods, his reason for being .. of course he will write the way he does, it's what earns his living from .. sheesh!

Look him up, he writes many many articles and papers basically the same message .. of course the bleeding hearts all want "action now", but in a few days time, it will pass.

who are most likely to donate large sums to the political parties?

Private school parents or public school parents.

Shadow minister you imply in your first post that Jane Caro’s children go to Private schools? Do you have a reference for this? You say your “belief” is founded on unbiased detailed studies. Which Pork Pie shop did you get this “fact” from? Based on this should we believe anything else you have to say?

In your 11:22 submission you quote the report saying that the federal government pays 56.25 percent and the state government pays around half the Commonwealth rate for 40 percent of Catholic schools. That is 84.375 percent so your 80% isn’t that conservative after all. Please indicate where in the report you got your 60 to 70% data.

Anyway Jane’s point is that we have a formula for how much private schools should get and Liberal and Labor always boost it in an effort to buy votes. This is middle class welfare and if a dole bludger got extra he would be shouted down as a cheat from every corner of the country.

Do you disagree with this premise or do you just think that the amount that Private schools get should be higher?