3. Many current leading politicians did not attend public schools. They can hardly be blamed if they are not much aware of the ideals and achievements of public education or if they fall victim to stereotypes. Every effort must be made to invite members of Parliament (federal and state) to visit public schools. There they will witness the often desperate needs of the teachers and students in that sector.

4. As a result of federal funding in the separate sectors of public, private and Catholic schools, we are now locked into a non-merit and non-need basis for funding schools. Most of the heavy lifting falls on public schools. They have most of the children from indigenous and multicultural backgrounds (with special linguistic and social needs) and most children with disabilities, learning and behavioural difficulties. ''Weeds in the Pope’s garden'', as some of them are unkindly called, end up in public schools. A ''fair go'' will ensure more, and not less, support for this unavoidable residual role of the public school system.

5. Parents have a right to select religious and private schools for their children. But many in Australia will understand the competing need, as well, for a secular principle. Educating separately every Muslim and Catholic schoolchild can have some downsides. Homophobia and transphobia have a very serious effect on many young people’s educational opportunities and on their personal confidence and well-being. Some religious schools insist on teaching that gay students are disordered; even that they have an ‘‘inclination to evil’’; and must keep any minority sexual orientation to themselves. Fair and enlightened citizens will understand the special role that public schools play simply by being secular.

6. We live in an age where economics dominates our political debates. The OECD in Paris has now identified the effective trajectory of Australia’s educational trends. It has pointed to the decline in our country in real equal opportunity for students of socially deprived backgrounds. They need extra help. This means extra funding.

7. The opportunity costs of failing to properly resource our public schools will partly fall on the students themselves. Eventually, however, they will fall on our country. On a new Nobel Laureate such as Elizabeth Blackburn or Peter Doherty. Both are proud products of public education. We cannot afford to lose such talent.