Wednesday 4 August 2010
Labor funding commitment delivers certainty to 2013
The Director of Catholic Education in the Archdiocese of Melbourne, Stephen Elder, today
commended the Prime Minister’s decision to extend the current funding arrangements for
Catholic schools until the end of 2013.
“The Prime Minister’s decision to continue funding to 2013 is a clear endorsement of the
great work in Catholic schools by parish priests, principals, teachers and parents,” said Mr
Elder.
“Catholic school communities know this commitment delivers funding certainty through to
2013.
“Labor’s decision to continue the current funding arrangements, however, will not bridge the
37% government funding gap between needy Catholic schools and better resourced
government schools.
“Catholic schools will be pleased there is now bi-partisan support from the Liberal/National
parties and the ALP for Catholic school funding through to 2013.”
Mr Elder said the Prime Minister should disregard the Australian Education Union’s (AEU)
position on this issue as the union has repeatedly misrepresented Catholic school funding.
“The reality is that Catholic schools operate on 93% of the funding of government schools,
even when school fees are included,” Mr Elder said.
“Australia needs a government that provides sufficient resources to all students whatever
school they attend, not one designed to satisfy the AEU’s ideological agenda.”
Further information from David Ahern, Catholic Education Office Melbourne Media, on
9267 0228 or 0418 351 383.
NEWS 
