Stephen Bates (Brisbane, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would like to share a speech from a young Brisbane resident, Araminta Crocombe:

In a country as advanced as Australia it is important that we acknowledge that not all students start from the same starting line. Education is not merely a privilege; it is a fundamental human right.

Australia claims to have "free" education, yet families in the state school system face voluntary fees each year. As of 2023, these fees and other school related expenses cost families $2325 each year if your child attends a public primary school, and $4212 if your child attends a public secondary school.

There is significant pressure to pay these fees. For example, in many schools, students who have not paid these fees are unable to attend their formal or participate in extracurricular activities such as school sporting teams.

As a fifteen-year-old student who attends a public high school, I see first-hand how the burden of school fees can impact a student's education. The burden of school fees can cause significant obstacles and financial hardship for many families.

Education should not be limited by a family's ability to pay, so I call upon the government to start fully funding state education and abolish school fees because every child deserves the right to have an equal opportunity to pursue knowledge and fulfil their dreams, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status.