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Wednesday, 23 September 2020

Catholic Education in the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn (Catholic Education) has welcomed ACT Labor’s announcement of an equity fund to support disadvantaged families across all school sectors.

Catholic Education also welcomed Labor’s commitment to continue their current school infrastructure program for non-government schools, and their new plan for low-interest loans for energy saving projects.

Director of Catholic Education, Mr Ross Fox thanked ACT Labor for their willingness to help disadvantaged ACT families.

“Catholic Schools welcome the announcement that disadvantaged families from all school sectors will be able to apply for grants to assist with education expenses,” Mr Fox said.

“School uniforms, excursions, participation in sport and other extracurricular activities all place pressures on family budgets.”

“School fees are also an expense that impact ACT families and we hope that ACT Labor will support our push to keep Catholic schools affordable in Canberra.”

Catholic school communities have been working with both the Government and Opposition to reverse planned cuts to Catholic schools.

“We know that the ACT Government funds public schools well, and that is important, but Canberra families also want well-funded and affordable Catholic schools too,” Mr Fox said.

“The ACT is currently the lowest funder of Catholic schools of any state/territory when compared with funding for Government schools.”

Mr Fox said that ACT families were hopeful that the ACT Government would reverse their proposed cuts and fund Catholic schools at a rate of 25% of ACT Government school costs.

“Both Chief Minister Barr and Education Minister Berry know how valued Catholic schools are and have recently visited Catholic primary schools in their electorates.”

“Catholic Education calls on the Government to reverse their planned cuts to ACT Catholic schools,” Mr Fox concluded.

Ends.