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NGO leaders congratulate Premier Lara Giddings, ask others to show leadership

Media releases

10 July 2013

NGO Leaders for Educational Opportunity congratulates Premier Giddings on committing to sign up to the Better Schools plan and implementing a fairer funding model for all young Tasmanians.

The group believes current funding arrangements are inconsistent and do not effectively support disadvantaged students.

"Premier Giddings should be applauded for putting the young people of Tasmania first," said Alison Standen, General Manager (Tasmania) of The Smith Family. "Needs based funding is an essential step in ensuring we can improve the educational outcomes of all young people in Tasmania."

NGO Leaders for Educational Opportunity, comprising leading non-government organisations, has been urging all COAG members to put aside political differences and deliver on school funding reform.

"I congratulate the Tasmanian Government on this historic step," said Scott Harris, CEO of The Beacon Foundation. "I urge other states to follow Tasmania, South Australia, NSW and the ACT and realise their shared commitment to supporting young people to reach their full potential."

"Currently significant numbers of young Australians, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, are not achieving key educational outcomes. This has to change in the interests of Australia's current and future prosperity," said Mr Harris.

"An effective school funding system is the first step towards delivering a world class education for all young Australians," said Noel Mundy, State Director (Tasmania) of Mission Australia. "The decision by the Tasmanian Government shows that states recognise needs based funding as the fairest way to fund all schools."

"This is good for students, good for schools and good for Tasmania," said Mr Mundy "It's now up to other state governments to put the needs of their students and young people first."

The group, which includes representatives from the Foundation for Young Australians' Centre for New Public Education, Anglicare Australia, The Smith Family, Mission Australia, Brotherhood of St Laurence, Uniting Care Australia, St Vincent de Paul Society, ACOSS and the Public Education Foundation, congratulates Premier Giddings for her vision and leadership.

Media enquiries:
Catherine Cavill, The Smith Family PR Advisorr | catherine.cavill@thesmithfamily.com.au | 02 9085 7276

NGO Leaders for Educational Opportunity includes: Anglicare Australia, Ardoch Youth Foundation, Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS), Beacon Foundation, Centre for New Public Education, Dusseldorp Skills Forum, Foundation for Young Australians (FYA), Good Beginnings Australia, Mission Australia, Public Education Foundation, The Smith Family, Social Ventures Australia and UnitingCare Australia.

Media contacts:

Andrew Dickson | National Media Manager (National) - 0421 285 529 | andrew.dickson@thesmithfamily.com.au
Carla Horton | Senior Media Advisor (QLD & WA) - 0423 618 776 | carla.horton@thesmithfamily.com.au
Reid Jermyn | Media Advisor (VIC, SA & NT) - 0412 803 566 | reid.jermyn@thesmithfamily.com.au
Ben Chenoweth | Senior Media Advisor (NSW, ACT & TAS) - 0413 346 934 | ben.chenoweth@thesmithfamily.com.au

The Smith Family is a national children’s education charity that helps young Australians experiencing disadvantage to create better futures for themselves through harnessing the power of education. We partner with around 800 Australian schools and work with over 162,000 children and young people experiencing disadvantage access our education support programs to help them overcome . For more information, visit thesmithfamily.com.au