Compare Party Responses

You have selected to view the Policy Area "Youth and Education" for all Parties from whom we have received Responses.

Please note that the order in which we display the Parties is completely random, and will change each time you refresh the page.

Youth and Education
	19. Education
	20. Christian religious education
	21. Mental Health

Youth and Education

19. Education

Some students with disabilities in Queensland non-government schools receive up to $10,000 less per year in funding support compared to students in state schools. Equal funding of high-needs students, regardless of school sector, would give parents ‘real choice’ with respect to the education of their child.

Will your party ensure equal state funding of students with disabilities regardless of whether they are enrolled at a State or non-government school?

Liberal National Party [View responses to all questions from the Liberal National Party]

The LNP is willing to work with stakeholders to explore opportunities relating to funding of students with various needs across both state and non government schools. Further information pertaining to education policies will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Queensland Party [View responses to all questions from the The Queensland Party]

The Queensland Party favours a voucher system, where the parents can make the choice of institution. The vouchers should have the same value within the local electorate.

Family First Party Queensland [View responses to all questions from the Family First Party Queensland]

• Education vouchers distributed to parents would ensure equal funding for every student.

Family First will ensure equal funding for students with disabilities at both State and non-State schools.

A voucher system whereby government funds are equally distributed to the parents of all students allowing the parents to choose a school which aligns with their parental views should be instigated. This is the only system which will ensure equal funding for each and every student, no matter their circumstances.

One Nation Queensland Division [View responses to all questions from the One Nation Queensland Division]

All state funded education should be totally free regardless of circumstances.

Australian Labor Party Queensland [View responses to all questions from the Australian Labor Party Queensland]

• As funding for education increases, so does the funding for non-state schools.

• Education funding should be needs based.

• A re-elected Bligh Labor Government will continue to maintain and support these values across all schools, not just a selected few.

The non-state school system in Queensland is supported by an agreed basket nexus arrangement that provides funding to Catholic, Independent and other faith-based schools.

As funding for education increases, so does the funding for non-state schools.

The Queensland Government’s response to the Australian Government Review of Funding for Schooling advocates strongly for a needs-based funding model.

This would ensure that funding for schooling would be directed to those who need it most.

While the majority of students with a verified disability are enrolled in Queensland state schools, the Bligh Labor Government has allocated $34.3 million of more than $730 million earmarked for students with disabilities to children enrolled in non-state schools.

The sector will also share in the extra $200 million allocation over three years from the Australian Government, announced as part of the last federal budget.

The Bligh Government values inclusion and equality of opportunity for all Queenslanders.

A re-elected Bligh Labor Government will continue to maintain and support these values across all schools, not just a selected few as proposed by the LNP.

Return to top of page

20. Christian religious education

Religious Education classes offer students in Queensland schools an opportunity to explore issues of faith during their education.

Will your party continue to ensure access for RE teachers in public schools?

Liberal National Party [View responses to all questions from the Liberal National Party]

The LNP supports current arrangements and will not support them being changed. The LNP also supports chaplaincy in schools as this allows another avenue for students to receive support and discuss issues or concerns that they may have.

The Queensland Party [View responses to all questions from the The Queensland Party]

Yes, the Queensland Party believes RE should be optional and available.

Family First Party Queensland [View responses to all questions from the Family First Party Queensland]

Family First Qld would continue to ensure access for RE teachers in public schools, whether or not ethics classes were added to the curriculum.

Family First Qld would also guarantee that faith-based education services were allowed to continue incorporating their values programs across the entire curriculum.

One Nation Queensland Division [View responses to all questions from the One Nation Queensland Division]

Yes.

Australian Labor Party Queensland [View responses to all questions from the Australian Labor Party Queensland]

The Bligh Government currently funds the Chaplaincy Pastoral Care Program to the extent of $3 million. This support has been ongoing.

The Bligh Government appeared in the High Court to oppose the application brought by a person to remove the chaplaincy program in state schools.

Return to top of page

21. Mental Health

The University of Sydney 2011 For Kids’ Sake report highlights the growing problem of mental health among youth, with more than a quarter of people aged 16-24 having a mental disorder and a further 24% experiencing moderate to severe psychological distress.

With mental illness increasingly identified as an issue facing Australians of all ages and particularly children, what will your party do to tackle this growing problem?

Liberal National Party [View responses to all questions from the Liberal National Party]

The LNP supports the establishment of a Mental Health Commission that has proved successful under the Liberal-led Western Australian Government.

Mental health has been ignored for too long under Labor, and we believe the Commission should be empowered with the policy and planning of mental health services. Currently, too many Queenslanders who experience a mental illness fall between the gaps. We need to close those gaps and ensure that Queenslanders who need access to health services can get access.

The Queensland Party [View responses to all questions from the The Queensland Party]

The Queensland Party supports an open and frank debate around the definitions, and causes of mental illness so that cost effective and useful strategies can be put in place. Strong local communities can play a role.

Family First Party Queensland [View responses to all questions from the Family First Party Queensland]

• Better parenting skills could help stem the tide of increasing mental health problems in young people.

• Fund programs such as the “Triple P Parenting Program” and the program about “How to Drug-Proof your Children”.

• Ensure increased funding to mental health services within schools and community clinics.

Many mental health issues can be linked to psychological scarring at vulnerable ages of development. Better parenting skills could help stem the tide of increasing mental health problems in young people. Family First is prepared to put government funding into programs such as the “Triple P Parenting Program” and the program about “How to Drug-Proof your Children”.

Family First will ensure increased funding to mental health services within schools and within community clinics. Chaplains should also be given training in dealing professionally with children experiencing mental health issues.

Finally, further funding needs to be provided for mental health support workers and specialists in the field.

One Nation Queensland Division [View responses to all questions from the One Nation Queensland Division]

More funding needed and higher inclusion into public health.

Australian Labor Party Queensland [View responses to all questions from the Australian Labor Party Queensland]

• Establish a Queensland Mental Health Commission from 1 July 2012.

• Government spending over $1 billion this financial year on mental health.

The Queensland Government is breaking up Queensland Health and establishing an entirely new health system for Queenslanders. Part of that new system is the creation, from July 1 2012, of the Queensland Mental Health Commission.

In 2011-12 alone, the Queensland Government is investing over $1 billion in public mental health services throughout Queensland. This is the biggest investment in Queensland’s history.

Building on the momentum which has been achieved over the last four years, the Commission will be responsible for:

• Acting as a strong advocate for mental health clients and their families;

• Improving the coordination, effectiveness and performance of mental health services;

• Ensuring resources are being deployed to where they are most needed;

• Developing a strong evidence base to support government investment; and

• Promoting greater transparency in the allocation of resources.

International evidence suggests that a dedicated, stand-alone Commission can improve the mental health system’s ability to focus on the individual needs of clients and their families and to provide more effective and coordinated services, ranging from acute care to community-based services.

As well as supporting further transformation of the mental health system, establishment of the Commission will position Queensland to better respond to emerging priorities, pressures and opportunities and to drive ongoing reform locally and nationally.

The Commission will engage continuously with consumers, families, service providers and other stakeholders, ensuring that consumers’ needs and human rights remain paramount at all times and that services remain accessible and well coordinated.

It will also play a key role in combating the social exclusion, stigma and discrimination which people living with mental illness experience.

Labor has a strong record on tackling mental health stigma, committing $8.5 million in the 2010 budget to lead the nation and establish the Change Our Minds anti-stigma campaign.

Only Labor is committed to changing Queensland’s health care system to deliver more services sooner and closer to home. The LNPs only documented health policy is to cut $400 million from the Sunshine Coast University Hospital.