The Greens have called on the Australian and NSW governments to withdraw funding from four elite Sydney schools linked with the extremist sect Opus Dei in the wake of Four Corners’ shocking report last night.
Combined, Redfield College, Tangara School for Girls, Wollemi College and Montgrove College, operated by the Parents for Education Foundation, received more than $20 million in state and government funding in 2021.
Australian Greens spokesperson on schools, Senator Penny Allman-Payne said:
“Elite and extremist private schools that indoctrinate their students into an antiquated and harmful ideology should not receive one cent of public funding.
“It’s bad enough that we know the richest schools in the country use our money for extravagences like plunge pools for headmasters and business class trips to sporting events. But to use public funds to promote bigotry and self-harm is beyond the pale.
“Instead of continuing to fund insular, out-of-touch institutions, the NSW and federal governments should show some backbone and strip these schools of funding.
“The new National School Reform Agreement (NSRA) was an opportunity for the Albanese Government to restore equity to the school system, but they’ve kicked the can down the road, consigning public school kids to another year of disadvantage.
“The Greens will continue to fight alongside unions, parents and carers to ensure that all public schools receive at least 100% of their Schooling Resource Standard in the next NSRA.”
NSW Greens spokesperson on education, Tamara Smith MP said:
“Tangara School for Girls, which indoctrinates its students into a perverse ‘purity’ culture, received $5 million in public money in 2021. Meanwhile, just down the M7, students at Oran Park State School attend class in one of 27 demountable classrooms. About 12% of classrooms in NSW public schools are in demountables.
“Our public school system is in crisis. In NSW, public schools only receive 87% of their full Schooling Resource Standard allocation. In other words, they don’t even receive the bare minimum of funding needed to provide a decent education. Meanwhile, private schools receive 106% of their SRS.
“The NSW Greens’ education plan will increase teacher pay 15%, improve conditions for teachers and students, and ensure that NSW public schools reach 100% of their Schooling Resource Standard this year.”