Australia: State Labor government slashes education funding for the most needy

WSWS : News & Analysis : Australia & South Pacific
Australia: State Labor government slashes education funding for the most needy
By Will Marshall, Socialist Equality Party candidate for Broadmeadows
3 November 2006

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The Labor government in Victoria has long made claims to be reversing the attacks on education carried out by its predecessor, the right-wing Liberal Kennett government. The reality is that it has continued along precisely the same lines.

One of Premier Steve Bracks’s most ruthless decisions has been to cut education programs that support society’s neediest. His government has changed the criteria for those receiving disability funding, making the standards so onerous that thousands in dire need receive no assistance whatsoever.

Last year, 6,760 students with language disorders in government schools received professional help. This year, only 208 students qualified. In other words, 6,550 children were struck off the list.

A language disorder is an inability or difficulty with processing speech or expressing oneself. The disorder can range from minor cases to children being unable to use speech or language at all. Once a child confronts difficulties in expressing or understanding ideas it dramatically impacts on all aspects of their life, as well as their cognitive and motor development.

According to Speech Pathology Australia, the funding for children with severe language disorders was slashed from over $50 million in 2005 to just $3 million this year. Speech Pathology president Trish Bradd, commented: “Minimising funding for an individual who needs this support has major implications for the child’s ability to participate fully in activities central to classroom based learning. This can have life-long learning and social effects.”


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