Dallas McInerney, CEO of Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW), has cautioned Catholic school families against voting for the Greens or ‘Teal independents’ in the upcoming federal election.
Analysis by the National Catholic Education Commission reveals only the major parties, Labor, Liberal, and The Nationals, are committed to supporting parental school choice and the future of Catholic education in Australia.
‘The Greens have a long hostility toward non-government education, and their education policies threaten the affordability and existence of Catholic schools, potentially leading to significant increases in school fees,’ Mr McInerney warned.
For over 200 years, Catholic schools in NSW have provided quality education to families, including the poorest of the poor, before government schooling ever existed in Australia. Catholic education enrols over 20% of students in NSW, equating to over 271,000 students and nearly 600 schools.
Mr McInerney said Teal candidates fared little better than the Greens due to their lack of clear policy positions, which pose an unacceptable risk to school communities.
‘Many Teal candidates have been unclear, secretive, or have not taken the time to fully explain their positions on education, which is a serious concern. Some appear dismissive of non-government education despite it constituting 50% or more of the schools in their electorate.’
The growing preference for Catholic schools by NSW families is the true vote of confidence. CSNSW looks forward to working with the next parliament to continue this legacy and strengthen school choice as parents look for a bright future for their children and choose a Catholic school.
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