A group of self-described "rebel teachers" in Victoria are running a campaign to target eight sitting Labor MPs, including the minister for education, Ben Carroll, in November's state election. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing The Guardian.
The candidates are members of the "Socialists in Schools" group, in opposition to the department of education. Victorian Socialists have announced they are aiming to contest every lower house seat in Victoria.
Brendan Laws is going up against Carroll in his formerly safe seat of Niddrie, calling for the ending of public funding to high-fee private schools, the abolition of Naplan and full funding for uniforms, excursions, materials and lunches.
Laws said the Victorian school system had been underfunded for years. "There's a consensus that public education deserves better. On the issue of education, the ALP is not just out of touch – they're on the other side of the picket line, with the Liberals and One Nation. Economic segregation is increasing, as working-class students are more and isolated while high-fee private schools get more and more funding each year. This must end immediately," he said.