New AEU Gonski Ad takes fight to Turnbull on skills
The AEU will launch a new Free-to-Air and Pay TV ad today slamming Malcolm Turnbull’s cuts to Gonski funding for denying our children the skills they’ll need for the future.
The Ads will run in Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Wollongong, Lismore, Rockhampton, Cairns, Townsville and Mackay and focus on how Gonski funding is giving students the skills they’ll need for work in the 21 century.
The new ad is the latest part of a national television, newspaper and online advertising campaign for Gonski that goes along with the biggest grassroots marginal seats campaign ever run by the union, which has seen local co-ordinators working in target seats since last July.
AEU Federal President Correna Haythorpe said the July 2 election would be a stark choice between investment in schools and Malcolm Turnbull’s disastrous cuts to education.
“Malcolm Turnbull has failed to recognise that education will equip our students with the skills they need for the future,” Ms Haythorpe said.
“This new TV ad highlights the importance of funding schools and the disastrous consequences of cutting Gonski.
“Malcolm Turnbull keeps telling us he will deliver jobs and growth, but for that to happen we need all students to leave school with the skills they need for work.
“By failing to fund Gonski after 2017, Malcolm Turnbull is failing to give our children the education they need for the jobs of the future.
“He is letting down families who want their children to get the best education possible.
“Students will not be able to get the one-to-one support they need to achieve at school, and go on to work or further education.
“Malcolm Turnbull’s plan to cut Gonski funding will see kids from disadvantaged backgrounds denied the education and skills they need for secure jobs.
“He has no plan to close achievement gaps which see kids from disadvantaged backgrounds up to three years behind their peers of the same age in wealthy areas.
“Malcolm Turnbull’s cuts will leave our schools $3.8 billion short, compared to Labor and the Greens commitment to funding Gonski in full right through until 2019.
“Gonski funding is already delivering results in schools, with students having access to the extra literacy and numeracy programs, smaller classes and one-to-one support.
“Research shows that one-in-five children starts school not ready to learn, they need support not cuts to funding.
“Malcolm Turnbull has found money for tax cuts for high income earners and companies, yet is unable to find money to properly fund our schools.
“We cannot have an agile and innovative nation when one-in-seven 15 year olds is at risk of leaving school without the basic skills they need for work.
“We should not accept a system where less than half of kids with disability attract funded support, and half of secondary schools have maths or science classes taught by someone not qualified in the subject area.
“We will continue to campaign for Gonski up until this election and beyond,” Ms Haythorpe said.
“Making sure our children have the resources they need to succeed at school is too important to give up without a fight.
To watch the Ad go to: https://youtu.be/OVmt5Gk0vcI
Media Contact: Ben Ruse 0437 971 291
