Weekend Wrap for 1 June 2025

Pasi Sahlberg and Glenn Savage: The next three steps to help public schools
"Australia has the resources, the talent and now a government with enough political capital to build better and fairer education systems, if we’re brave enough to act. ... Australia’s big problem is a lack of bold thinking about what schools can be. The federal government must act not only as funder or builder but also as a convener of vision – aligning efforts across systems, increasing social equity and reigniting public purpose in education. Just before the 2025 election was called, all states and territories signed new funding agreements with the federal government under the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement (BFSA). These commit the Commonwealth to increase its share of public school funding from 20 to 25 per cent, with states and territories contributing the rest and a full transition expected by 2034. Crucially, the deal also closed a loophole that allowed governments to count up to 4 per cent of non-school spending as part of their contribution. That provision will be phased out, with tighter rules on eligible expenditures. In total, the BFSA is projected to deliver an additional $16.5 billion in Commonwealth funding to public schools over the next decade. With all jurisdictions now on a path to full funding, the national conversation must shift to how the extra money is used to ensure that financial investments lead to better and fairer education systems for all." (24 May 2025)
Read more at The Saturday Paper

Emily JB Smith: What voluntary assisted dying options are available for those with dementia?
"Although voluntary assisted dying (VAD) will be legal in every Australian jurisdiction except the Northern Territory by the end of this year, it remains entirely off-limits for people with dementia. ... Dementia now ranks among the leading causes of death across many developed nations. With rates only set to increase, health departments all over the world are grappling with the question of VAD for those with the disorder. But relevant Australian peak bodies, including Dementia Australia, Council on the Ageing and Palliative Care Australia, said they were neutral on the subject." (25 May 2025)
Read more at ABC News

Joseph Hathaway-Wilson: Three decades after the NT first legalised voluntary assisted dying, Territorians are still waiting on change
"In 1995, then-chief minister Marshall Perron brought the Rights of the Terminally Ill Bill before the NT parliament. He said he found his government debating two main groups in opposition — the NT Council of Churches and the Australian Medical Association (AMA). ... Thirty years later the AMA has shifted its stance, updating its position statement on VAD to focus on regulation rather than opposition. The NT Council of Churches, Mr Perron said, was "a different kettle of fish". In 1995, the group argued VAD was antithetical to foundational Christian values, a position it continues to hold. The Australian Christian Lobby has repeatedly voiced its opposition to VAD over the years and has implored the current NT Country Liberal Party (CLP) government to consider whether there is demand for such legislation. ... Progress has since stalled again, with the CLP government, elected in August, citing a lack of community consultation for not yet drafting legislation. (25 May 2025)
Read more at ABC News

Alan Austin: Australians resoundingly reject ratbaggery of the religious Right
"Most candidates who raised U.S.-style religious issues – abortion, religious freedom, same-sex marriage, gender identity – have failed badly in recent years. These include Freya Ostapovitch in Queensland, Thomas Brough in WA and Bernie Finn in Victoria. Well-travelled Christian social analyst Rod Benson has served within Australia’s Baptist, Anglican and now Uniting Church communities in roles from pastor to church planter to ethicist. He is now the general secretary of the NSW Ecumenical Council. Dr Benson told IA that the 'Christian vote' in Australia has essentially evaporated: 'This is partly because there is so little difference today between the two major parties on many issues, and partly because we participate in a mature liberal democracy that is well served by the rule of law and a free press.' ... Dr Benson believes the last thing most Australians want is religious leaders and shadowy think tanks with links to ultra-conservative American institutions telling them how to vote." (26 May 2025)
Read more at Independent Australia

Joel Carrett: Hate over love: conservative influencers have brought angrier anti-abortion politics to Australia
"After two decades of abortion decriminalisation across Australian states and territories, there has been a sudden surge of anti-abortion activity online, in the streets and in parliaments. ... During the New South Wales debates, state Liberal leader Mark Speakman delivered a scathing speech in which he accused the anti-abortion activist and influencer Joanna Howe of “brazen bullying” and attempting the “Americanisation of NSW politics.” ... Politicians across party lines who support abortion rights have described a “wave of death threats and vile abuse” from opponents of abortion after being mentioned by Howe on social media. Australian anti-abortionists are increasingly assertive, angry and confrontational. It marks a new chapter in abortion politics in Australia. ... During law reform debates, politicians including Jacinta Allan in Victoria, Michelle O’Byrne in Tasmania and Tammy Franks in South Australia experienced campaigns of “abusive,” “graphic” and “offensive” anti-abortion letters and phone calls. These included rape and death threats. ... The 2022 overturning of Roe v Wade in the US emboldened global opponents of abortion, including in Australia. The US movement “won” by developing long-term strategies that chipped away at abortion rights and access. ... These strategies are reflected wholesale in the emerging anti-abortion backlash in Australia." (27 May 2025)
Read more at The Conversation