'the Howard Government left a loophole' What a convenient lot of claptrap. How many more excuses can a Government make for being to gutless to act on its promises (other than symbols). Was it a loophole that allows the whales to be killed still, was it a loophole that still keeps the indigenous people in poverty, was it a loophole that has allowed multitudes of illegals arrive here? What does this Government do other than rack up Frequent Flyer points? I for one am pleased they are to gutless to act on many of their promises.

The money given to this sect is more likely to be better spent than the billions wasted on the State system anyway. Children are far more likely to get a better education their than at our State zoos. Just look at the CopenHagen fiasco and see how many dollars were wasted on the earth worshsipers religion. Thankfully the public has woken up to that one.

Dear Belly,

According to a news program on TV last night
as well as articles in The Australian -
half the private schools in the country are
funded above their entitlement.

The "no-disadvantage" clause that was put in
by the Howard Government - means that despite
the wealth of any private school their funding
level is preserved at that awarded to the
original campus.

As Angelo Gavrielatos, Federal President of the
Australian Education Union pointed out - this
funding guarantee was costing taxpayers
$3.5 billion a year and must be urgently reviewed.

He added, "The over-funding of the Exclusive Brethren's
schools is a prime example of a corrupted funding
system."

The Australian quoted a spokeswoman for Education Minister
Julia Gillard who explained that 'Labor rolled over
the Howard-era SES model to give schools certainty."

I'm sure that now the matter will be investigated
and reviewed.

Belly,

I agree that this is a nonsense on a number of grounds. I think Labor's attitude to "government" is a kin to Arundhati Roy says about choosing a government "it's a bit like choosing a washing detergent". i.e. they're all the same except for the box.
Regardless of the Party in power it's the system that is the killer.

The really sad thing is we let them get away with it. It's all about perception and tactics.....policy, principals, integrity are all foreign words.

Surely the criticism should directed at those schools who do not take advantage of the government's grants? If the EBs are good at getting grants what is wrong with other school principals and P@Cs that the EBs have such light competition?

However I believe that what is happening is that the Greens are again reaching into PETA's toolbox to grab headlines through targeting for sensationalism.

I do not support the Exclusive Brethren but if anyone is concerned about this religious group seeking to limit the behaviour of its members there are a number of other religions, some recent to our shores who could also qualify as 'cults'. It all depends on the definition.

If the Greens are at all serious in their concern for education they would be advised to compare and contrast rather than just snipe to get the cheap headline. Why criticise one and not the others?

Then again, if the Greens could recommend practical actions 'to ensure that public schools are able to provide the highest quality educational experiences and high levels of enrolments in the public sector', parents would no longer see a need to send their children to private schools.

Kev bloke, if we can look back we can often pin point the very day the first wheel comes of our dinky.
Can you look over your shoulder?
Yep polls say we are home, Abbott split his team and tied a leg up so they can not more than wobble.
But notice the shine is fading just a bit?
Whales and Japan, well even I think trade and all we are more than weak on that.
70 million to that mob? the one you spoke so honestly about?
Kevin, its my part too let us both remember you can do better the need to do some things, right things, should come before wanting every one to love you.
Each of us knows this group is a cult often bad never a true church it funded none Labor candidates, and my Labor leader funds it?
Bill Shorten go you good thing.

Seems my taking the stick to Kevin's legs may have killed the thread, but lets look at it.
This mob have monstered people who live near land they wish to develop.
Well it may not be a crime, but gone out of their way to promote anti Labor people in elections.
Ex members constantly tell horror storys, Rudd rightly described them mas I think of them.
Yet we give them this cash? our money? it would be better spent on Aboriginal housing in the NT.
Or as relief for the current earth quake victims.
I am no Christian, but giving every cent to St Vinny's or salvos to help battlers would bring no complaint, never will I except this as a worthwhile receiver of my tax's.