Fed: Use existing law to withhold school funds: Nelson=2

AAP General News (Australia)
08-28-2008
Fed: Use existing law to withhold school funds: Nelson=2

Nationals MP John Cobb says the states have failed to adopt the laws because they are
scared of the teachers' unions.

"Parents should be able to get a report card on how their children are going, on how
they are going compared to the average student ... around the country," Mr Cobb told reporters.

"It's a bit hard to understand why the states haven't come on board, one assumes because
they are so frightened of the teachers' union that they won't take them on."

Liberal frontbencher Steve Ciobo says Labor should stand up to the unions.

"If they are going to make a decision and stand up to the unions for once then I would
welcome it," he told reporters.

Opposition treasury spokesman Malcolm Turnbull says Labor has simply rehashed coalition policy.

"From what we have seen, it appears to be, essentially a reheated coalition policy,
much of which has already been legislated."

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KEYWORD: SCHOOLS MPS 2 CANBERRA

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