E&OE …
Thank you Danny for the kind welcome. To Rabbi James Kennard, the principal, thank you for hosting us here at the school and to my colleague from the Victorian Parliament David Southwick. Thank you for the invitation and the opportunity to join you here at the opening of the ninth biennial Jewish Educators Conference.
As well as representing the Australian Government and bringing our best wishes, I also bring the best wishes of Education Minister Christopher Pyne, who I know is known to many as a strong supporter.
Jewish schools have made a significant impact on our country. This school, Mount Scopus College, was one of the first and it is only 65 years old.
Many of Australia’s Jewish schools, particularly those in Sydney and Melbourne, were established in the aftermath of World War II to coincide with the influx of European Jewish migrants.
I have been told that many of the men and women who survived the Holocaust and came to our shores valued a good education for their families above all us. Having survived those depraved and horrific years in Europe, the value of material items took on a new perspective. Wealth, property, jewellery, could all disappear in the blink of an eye. But no one, no matter how cruel or evil, could ever steal an education from someone.
Given this noble starting point, it is no surprise that Jewish schools remain committed to excellence decades later, and Australia has been the beneficiary.
From industry to academia, medicine to the arts, Jewish school graduates are achieving great feats across Australian society. People like Professor Samuel Berkovic AC, who has made ground-breaking discoveries into epilepsy, and being here at Mount Scopus, I have to mention business leaders and old boys like Solomon Lew and of course, my federal parliamentary colleague, Josh Frydenberg.
Year after year, Jewish schools continue to innovate, exceed benchmarks and ensure graduates are set on a path to future success. You do this by attracting the best principals and leaders, supporting committed teachers and engaging parents and the wider community.
Not coincidentally, it is these key principles that the Australian Government is looking to roll out to all schools across the country.
Under Tony Abbott’s leadership, the Government has adopted a ‘Students First’ philosophy toward school education.
This approach is focussing the Government’s attention on improving teacher quality, increasing school autonomy, engaging parents in education and strengthening the curriculum.
More money is not the only way to achieve better education outcomes.
The education debate and education policy in Australia needs to shift from its obsession with funding and complex funding models that few understand, to focus on what should be the prime driver for education – quality.
It is quality education that strengthens our economy, creates well-rounded citizens and tackles disadvantage.
I’m not saying funding is not important but the facts are stark. Between 2000-2009 spending on all schools in Australia increased in real terms by 44% and in the decade up to 2012 increased by 39% in real terms and has continued to increase. Australian spending on education is above the OECD average. During the same period, class sizes have been reduced by an average of 40%.
Yet the latest PISA results show a continuing decline in Australia’s student performance relative to other countries across mathematics, reading and scientific literacy.
Neither in Australia nor across the OECD has increased spending been matched by better student outcomes.
It is for this reason that the Government is trying to shift the discussion from one that focusses simply on dollars, to one that focusses on students and outcomes.
A rigid and inflexible system that stifles school autonomy and does not allow principals and teachers to respond to their own unique situation does not benefit our students.
This Government is working towards giving principals, teachers and parents more of a say over how their schools are run. I strongly believe that the principal leading a school, the teacher who stands up in the front of the class and the parents and volunteers who help out are better placed to make decisions than bureaucrats sitting at desks.
The Australian Government is also committed to maintaining choice in education.
I was educated in the Catholic system and my mother recently retired after 45 years as a teacher in the that system. I understand the importance of the non-government school sector, as do my Coalition colleagues.
It was just over 50 years ago, that under Liberal Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies non-government schools first received government grants, in that case for school science laboratories.
Then, under the Prime Ministership of Liberal John Gorton, recurrent government funding for independent schools was established.
That was in 1970, and it has continued until today.
To paraphrase a key phrase used by our Prime Minister, it is in the DNA of the Liberal Party to support school choice.
Now, I am aware that this conference comes at a difficult time for the Jewish community in Australia.
Over the past few weeks, and not for the first time, I have spoken in support of Israel at two rallies in Melbourne.
At those rallies, I have urged Australians who might not have a personal or historic connection to Israel, to imagine what it would feel like to hear a siren sound and have a rocket potentially land on your home or school coming from only the next suburb away.
I am heartened that the current ceasefire seems to be holding and I remain hopeful for a lasting peace.
However, it is distressing to me, and all Australians, that the current conflict has spilt over into anti-Semitism. I am particularly concerned that Jewish schools have borne the brunt.
Several years ago, I made a long speech in the Senate warning of the dangers of modern anti-Semitism. The last few weeks have sadly seen a couple of those fears come true.
It was very disturbing to hear reports of anti-Semitic vandalism at the Carmel School in Perth and of Jewish students being abused while travelling on a Sydney bus.
I also condemn the anti-Semitic attacks on university campuses by representatives of the hard Left and attempts by student unions to pass blatantly anti-Israel motions.
The conflation of debate and criticisms of the actions of states must never be allowed to underpin racist slogans, hatreds or, in this case, historic hatreds.
There is no place in Australia for anti-Semitism or any type of racism. It is unconscionable and all the more despicable because these criminals are targeting children and students.
While we continue to deplore these attacks and I wish such measures were not necessary, I am pleased the Australian Government has committed to the safety of students through the $18 million Schools Security Programme.
This programme provides funding to schools and preschools that are assessed as being at risk of attack, harassment or violence stemming from racial or religious intolerance. It will assist schools with the cost of security infrastructure, such as closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems, lighting and fences, and for the cost of employing security guards.
The next round of this programme is expected to open during this financial year.
This Government recognises that providing safe and supportive learning environments contributes to positive learning outcomes for students.
The Australian Government is acutely aware of the important role Jewish schools play in our diverse education landscape.
But no one can stand still. I congratulate the Zionist Federation of Australia for organising this conference and hope it leads to further innovation in your schools.
ENDS