The Queensland Catholic Education Commission asked five political parties contesting the Queensland election for their responses to priority issues in Catholic education. These issues are important for Catholic schools to be able to continue to deliver high quality, affordable education in effective contemporary learning environments. The table below summarises the parties’ responses to these key issues. (This table is available on the QCEC website)
| Issue | ALP | LNP | One Nation | KAP | Greens |
| Recurrent funding | Continued support for the existing basket nexus funding mechanism according to current conventions. As the Federal funding position becomes clearer the ALP will work with QCEC to ensure recurrent support for Queensland Catholic Schools is maintained. | Supports the existing funding mechanism for Catholic schools. Will work with the non-government sector, the Commonwealth Government and the community to ensure the sector is not disadvantaged by future funding agreements between the state and Commonwealth. | Will advocate for retention at current levels. | No response | No response |
| Capital funding – schools | Will commit to continuing to fund the Capital Assistance and External Infrastructure funding over the next three years under the current arrangement. Propose to provide $82.35 million supplementary capital over the next three years to support additional infrastructure in Catholic schools. | No plans to change the existing capital funding arrangements including the Capital Assistance Supplementary Scheme. Will re-introduce an independent Schools Planning Commission which would include representation from the Catholic sector. | Will advocate for and support. | No response | No response |
| Capital funding – kindergartens | Prepared to discuss a proposal over the next term regarding future funding arrangements for kindergarten facilities on non-state school sites. | Will work with the Catholic sector to determine how best to further develop more kindergartens on school sites. | Will advocate to allow funding for kindergarten collocation on school sites. | No response | No response |
| Teacher Capability Program | Acknowledge that funding was provided over five years to 2017-18. Welcomes the opportunity to discuss this funding in the context of the 2018-19 budget round. | Will work with all sectors to ensure the right mix of support for teachers and school leadership development. Funding to be considered in the 2018 budget process. | Will advocate for increased funding for teacher capability, especially in the area of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects. | No response | No response |
| Schools Renewal Program | Acknowledge QCEC’s request for $30 million additional capital to support ageing infrastructure in Catholic schools. This year $54.4 million in capital support has been provided. Future capital support to be discussed as part of the 2018-19 budget round. | Will be considered through the normal budget process. | Will advocate for funding for essential maintenance and repair of schools, particularly in regional Queensland. | No response | No response |
| Solar Installation Project | Acknowledge the importance of schools as large users of energy, implementing alternative strategies to support the environment and mitigate sector cost. Prepared to work with QCEC to explore options to access discounts that may be derived from the State Government’s $97 million program to support energy efficiency in state schools. | Will be considered through the normal budget process. | Lower power prices and build coal fired capability in North Queensland. | No response | No response |
| Parent Engagement | Will continue to support Catholic parents in Queensland by maintaining existing $83,000 per annum funding to the P&F Federation. Believe that parental engagement is critical to achieving improved outcomes in all schools. | Acknowledges the important role of parents and families in student learning any additional funding to be considered in the budget process. | This is the role of the school, not Government. | No response | No response |
| Remote Teacher Housing | Acknowledge QCEC’s request for additional funding to support new and refurbished teacher housing in rural and remote Queensland. This request sits beyond the current capital funding arrangements. Cannot assist with this request at this time.. | Will work with the Catholic sector to ensure Catholic schools can attract and retain teachers in remote locations. | Support through increased funding and encourage liaison with Education Queensland to deliver under existing teacher housing arrangements. | No response | No response |
