Fair funding for education

LIKE Michael Nugent, I too was taken aback by the article “Labor pushes ahead with its unfair Schools Tax” (Sentinel-Times June 12) given the reference was to removing payroll tax exemptions from another commercial sector. However, I didn’t assume this was an editorial position but, rather, a quid pro quo story placed on behalf of an independent school advertiser.

What surprised me in your response to his letter was that the article was apparently salted without reference by the Liberal party as well as your pointing out that Mr Nugent is a "card-carrying member of the Greens” which, in the context, I didn’t see as being relevant.

Finland is a country with a higher performing education system than Australia with national expenditure being roughly the same in terms of percentage of GDP and cost per student as other OECD countries. Of particular note is that it is against the law in Finland to charge fees for education so the system is entirely funded by taxpayers. That means all kids, no matter whether they live in small rural villages or major metropolitan cities have the same access to education – something I would think all taxpayers should see as a good thing.

Incidentally, I am proudly a non-card-carrying member of any political party if you think that is relevant.

Laurie Martin, Leongatha