Where's Paul?

Paul, PAUL!

Foxy,

You forget that both Labor and the Greens voted against Gonski 2.0.

Rhiannon just pre-empted the bloody-mindedness.

Senator Lee Rhiannon has been temporarily suspended
from the Greens Party Room. Hopefully she'll end up
being kicked out permanently. It would be great to
see her try her luck as an independent.

Perhaps the Libs can follow suit by doing the same
with their snipping (pain in the rear-end - or
from the back bench) Mr Abbott?

I would like to see politicians from all parties model better 'civic behaviour', as opposed to the antisocial, unethical, unprincipled, egocentric 'Me, Me, me' that is played out daily in the parliament.

In a word, it is narcissism and there is a lot of that about.

I expect parliamentarians to be ambitious and fierce in their advocacy for the reasonable demands of their constituents (reasonable, because the good of all Australians and for the longer term must be factored in).

However, youth need positive role models showing them how to behave in a democracy that values freedom of speech and the rule of (Australian) law. What avenues exist for their opinions/needs to become known and how to engage positively and effectively while realising that there are millions of others with needs and expectations too.

PAUL?

Wherefore art thou?

The NSW Greens are strongly committed to public education, first and foremost. Secondly The Greens support equality in education for all. The Greens oppose inequitable public funding channeled into the pockets of elitist private schools. As does NSW Greens senator Lee Rhiannon. Her vote was as per the directions given by the NSW state council of the Greens.

The formula used by the government in calculating funding for Gonski 2.0 fails to meet the basic criteria which would give that necessary needs based outcomes.

Much has been made of the extra $5 billion some cross benchers were able to squeeze out of the government to secure their vote. Although the Greens have a strong commitment to public education, they recognize the part presently played by Catholic education, and frankly under Gonski 2.0 the Catholic schools are being heavily disadvantaged. That will result in more pressure being applied to the public system, as more parents move their children from the low end un-affordable Catholic schools to the public sphere.

Do I think things could have been handled better by the Greens, Yes. Do I want Lee Rhiannon sacked for following constituted directions, No. Do I want to see some changes to the Greens Constitution, Yes.