Under questioning today, the Government avoided outlining its action-plan for achieving the Asian Language outcomes set out in its Asian White Paper.

“This Government continues to dance around the question of how it will fund its Asian Language aspirations. We need action, not more talk,” Senator Penny Wright, Greens Spokesperson for Schools, said.

“Not only did the Government not provide details on Asian Languages, they continue to be unable to give details on how they will implement and fund the Gonski schools reforms.

As one of the first major steps towards strengthening its place in the Asia-Pacific region, and to better engage with its Asian neighbours, Australia needs to properly value and resource its public education system, Australian Greens spokesperson for Schools, Senator Penny Wright said.

Responding to the Government's Asian White Paper, Senator Wright said that the paper rightly highlighted the need to improve Australia's education system, creating better opportunities for all children and benefitting our whole nation in the long-term.

In the wake of two non-government schools in Melbourne closing, the Australian Greens are renewing their call for greater transparency, accountability and standards for use of public funds.

"Non-government schools should be completely transparent in relation to their resourcing and their use of public funds," Australian Greens spokesperson for Schools, Senator Penny Wright said.

"It is devastating when a school closes unexpectedly, affecting the welfare of the students, teachers and parents. The current system of oversight is clearly not working.

Acknowledging the invaluable contribution teachers make to our community, Australian Greens spokesperson for Schools, Senator Penny Wright, encouraged Australians to thank teachers for their excellent work on World Teachers Day.

 "A good teacher can make such a difference to a child's education - not only teaching the fundamentals but also inspiring and encouraging them to reach for the stars," Senator Wright said.

Putting money into funding public schools, especially those which educate the most disadvantaged young Australians, should trump the political surplus projected in today's budget update, the Australian Greens said today.

 "Last month, the Government announced a new, fairer funding model, which is exactly what Australia needs - yet today the Government seems to have failed to make their so-called education crusade a funding priority," Australian Greens spokesperson for Schools, Senator Penny Wright, said.

In the 2012 Supplementary Estimates period, Senator Penny Wright asked the Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Committee questions about the following issues. Click the links below to read the full transcript.

Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Committee
Thursday 18 October 2012

Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations

Senator WRIGHT: Is the department currently drafting legislation or assisting another department to draft legislation to implement the recently announced changes to schools funding in Australia? Is it in the process of being drafted at this moment? 

Ms Paul: We have covered this.

As one of the first steps towards strengthening its place in the Asia-Pacific region, and to better engage with its Asian neighbours, Australia should properly value and resource its public education system, Australian Greens spokesperson for Schools, Senator Penny Wright said.

Australian Greens spokesperson for Schools, Senator Penny Wright, said the 2012 OECD Education at a Glance report was further proof that Australia requires a fairer, needs-based education funding system, based on the principles highlighted in the Gonski review.

Senator Wright also welcomed reports today that OECD deputy director for education, Dr Andreas Schleicher, has endorsed moves to target funding to schools based on the greatest need.

“I am heartened by Dr Schleicher’s comments, which show us that we are on the right path with Gonski,” Senator Wright said.