Campaign barnstorm: Western Sydney teachers warn Dutton would take schools backwards
NSW Teachers Federation
Teachers will take part in a campaign barnstorm this afternoon, as a new survey of Western Sydney teachers reveals overwhelming concern that Peter Dutton would scrap a historic funding agreement for public schools.
Nearly 70 per cent of Western Sydney teachers said they are worried about the future of school funding under a Coalition government. And just ten per cent said they trust the Coalition on education policy and funding.
The statewide survey of nearly 6000 public school teachers — includes 1310 teachers across the Western Sydney electorates of Banks (141), Bennelong (96), Blaxland (68), Chifley (72), Fowler (73), Greenway (80), Lindsay (107), Macarthur (145), McMahon (43), Macquarie (215) Parramatta (109), Reid (71), Watson (35), and Werriwa (55).
When asked who would benefit most from full and fair school funding, 75 per cent of teachers nominated students with a disability or learning difficulty. The survey also found that 81 per cent of teachers are very concerned that Peter Dutton has never expressed support for public education being fully funded.
EVENT DETAILS
WHAT: Teachers, join local MPs to release survey findings and rally to protect public school funding from Dutton
WHO: Federal Education Minister Jason Clare, NSW Education Minister, Prue Car, NSW Teachers Federation President, Henry Rajendra, teachers
WHEN: 4:30pm doorstop, event start at 5pm, Thursday, 10 April 2025
WHERE: Revesby Workers Club, 2B Brett St, Revesby NSW 2212
CONTACT: Nick Lucchinelli 0422 229 032
“This funding agreement is absolutely essential,” said NSW Teachers Federation President Henry Rajendra. “And teachers from Strathfield to Springwood, and from Ryde to Campbelltown are telling us exactly why. Their schools are under-resourced, their students are missing out, and they’re afraid that Peter Dutton would take us back to the days of deep education cuts.
“We have written to Mr Dutton seeking his assurance about full funding of NSW public schools and received no reply. It’s hard to believe anything the Liberals say on school funding when their 2013 track record is so abysmal.”
The ten-year agreement, signed by the federal and NSW governments, will raise public schools to 100% of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS). It increases the federal share of school funding from 20% to 25% and ends accounting loopholes that inflated state contributions.
Mr Rajendra said the numbers send a clear message. “Teachers don’t trust Peter Dutton on education. They remember what happened last time the Coalition was in power, and they know their students can’t afford a repeat,” he said.
The Federation’s campaign to protect the funding agreement is continuing across NSW, warning voters in key seats that Peter Dutton means fewer teachers and more kids missing out.
For media inquiries: Nick Lucchinelli 0422 229 032