Systemic Analysis
Our public schools are underfunded, our kids are falling behind, and both major parties have let it happen. The evidence is damning.
of public schools don't have enough money to meet basic student needs
kids from poorer families fall this far behind by Year 9, performing at Year 5 levels
public school funding shortfall 2024 to 2028 while private schools get $2.1B more than they need
every public school student is underfunded by this amount, every year
worst in the OECD for school segregation by wealth, and getting worse
more likely to reach the top 10% of earners with quality education. We're denying this to most kids.
Education is the most powerful tool we have to break the cycle of poverty. When kids get a quality education, they're six times more likely to reach the top 10% of earners. Underfunding public schools doesn't just fail today's students; it locks in inequality for the next generation.
Australia gives more taxpayer money to private schools than almost any country on Earth—more than double the OECD average. While spending 28.6% less on public schools, 55% of top company CEOs come from the private sector. This is a policy choice, not an accident.
Public schools educate 80% of disadvantaged students, including kids with disabilities and those from low-income families. Yet, Victoria has the worst-resourced public schools in the country, underfunded by $1.8 billion in 2024 alone.
The biggest per-student funding gap in the country is right here in Victoria: $7,282 per student. Meanwhile, 75% of private schools receive MORE taxpayer funding than comparable public schools. This disparity must end for a fair start.
As a Community Independent standing in Western Victoria, this is what I stand for.
100% of the Schooling Resource Standard for all public schools, today. Not in a decade. Not phased in. Now.
Smaller class sizes, supported teachers, and a curriculum shaped by education experts, not politicians, lobbyists, or special interests.
Ensuring students with disabilities, First Nations kids, and those from non-English-speaking backgrounds get the support they deserve.
All schools receiving government funding must meet the same obligations, reporting requirements, and standards. No exceptions.
End the tax deduction rort that lets wealthy families donate to their children's private schools and reduce their tax bill at public expense.
Full transparency in school funding and performance, year on year. Full transparency in the number of private and public students at universities. Full transparency in all results. If people actually knew what was going on, they would be outraged. We will not hide behind opaque data.
All government education grants awarded on merit through a transparent, competitive process, publicly declared. No funding to lobby groups. No more political favouritism.
Fair funding guided by student need, not political interest. Every decision tested against one question: does this help the child who needs it most?
Spiralling costs in public schools are making households feel the pinch when they can least afford it. Reign in spiralling costs, including a freeze on fees and materials during high inflationary environments.
My name is Aleta and I'm running as an independent candidate for Western Victoria because both major parties have failed our kids.
My mother was a refugee. I was raised to believe that education was a privilege and an opportunity, and I seized it with both hands. I worked my way through the public education system, completed TAFE, finished university while working, and went on to Cambridge. I am now completing my PhD.
Both Labor and the Coalition have spent decades letting public schools, the backbone of our education system, fall further behind. This isn't about ideology. It's about justice. Every child deserves a quality education, no matter their background.
The facts about Australia's education crisis that both major parties would rather you didn't read.
per year, what Australian families pay on average for high school. That's four times the OECD average. Elite private school fees reach $55,000 a year. And to access well-resourced public schools, families face house price premiums of $600K in Melbourne.
of top company CEOs attended private schools, despite only 20% of students going there. The education inequality of today becomes the economic inequality of tomorrow.
gap in outcomes for Indigenous students, the worst in the developed world compared to USA, Canada, Mexico and New Zealand. Indigenous students are 6+ years behind in reading, 7 years in science, and twice as likely to fail proficiency benchmarks.
students are failing basic literacy and numeracy. Year 9 kids from poorer families perform at Year 5 levels. These gaps are growing, not closing, under the current system both major parties have maintained for decades.
The biggest per-student funding gap in the country is in Victoria. While 75% of private schools here receive MORE taxpayer funding than comparable public schools, Victoria's public schools were underfunded by $1.8 billion in 2024 alone. This is the result of political choices, and it can be reversed by political choices.
The community independent movement is powered by people like you. Here's how to get involved.
Tell us how underfunding has affected your school, your child, or your community. Make a photo or video and tag us in #ChooseEducation.
No corporate donations. This campaign runs on small contributions from people like you. Every dollar helps us reach more voters.
Organise events in your community. Help with the campaign and developing materials.
Tell us what matters most to you about education in Victoria. Your input shapes our platform and strengthens our campaign.