Good spin, lousy line
* Press release by P&C association, issued: Wednesday 24 January 2001

"In cricketing terms Dr Kemp has polished his spin but has still managed to miss
the electoral wicket with his EBA and Science announcements. Voters want a
solid performance, not flashy style".
This was the view expressed today by the President of the NSW Parents and
Citizens' Associations, Ms Beverly Baker.
"The Minister's spin doctors have hit a six for the Government but the 750,000
students in the State's public schools have gained nothing", she said.
"Dr Kemp has positioned himself nicely in the popular science and technology
arena by using money that actually belongs to government schools."
"In spite of the rhetoric, the EBA (Enrolment Benchmark Adjustment) remains in
place (this adjustment enabled the Federal Government to steal over $19mil from
NSW taxpayers for the loss of a mere 34 students in 2000). It then ties any return
of the stolen funds to Federal Government propaganda. To insist that the State
redresses the flow of students from the public to the private sector and, as well,
invests the money on science and mathematics, shifts the blame for the impact
of Federal policies from the perpetrator to the victim."
"Since his appointment to the portfolio, David Kemp has not said one positive
thing about public schools whilst at the same time delivering to the private sector
the most generous donation of public funds anywhere in the world. He has
actively encouraged the establishment, out of the public purse, of low fee paying
private institutions and then promoted them as better alternatives to public
schools. The cost to the taxpayer of this policy is well over $14billion. He now
wants States to show what they are doing to get back the parents he has
encouraged to flirt with privatisation."
"His Higher Education policies have ensured that science and research facilities
of universities and elsewhere are struggling to get the funding needed to engage
in the scientific research Australia desperately needs. Instead of funding science
out of the hefty budget surplus he will redirect the stolen education funds to
programs he can claim credit for, whilst delivering not one cent in additional
money."
"This is just another example of Dr Kemp's contempt for public school parents.
He really believes that we are stupid."
"Lift your game Dr Kemp! We are not fooled! Abolish the EBA, make private
schools accountable for all the funds they receive, and use some of the budget
surplus to undo the damage your lack of planning has wrought on the scientific
community".

For further information:
Beverly Baker: 0402433444
P&C Federation's Office: 9360 2481

Source: P& C Website.