Dear Berowra Resident, 

I was recently honoured to be asked by Sussan Ley to serve as the Coalition's Shadow Minister for Education and Early Learning. 

One of things I’ve enjoyed most as your local member is the strong relationships I have developed with our local schools – the principals, teachers, student and parents - across my time in parliament.

That’s why I am delighted to be appointed the Coalition’s new Shadow Minister for Education and Early Learning.

My view is simple: it’s not my job to tell parents what’s best for their children. Parents know what’s best. It’s my job to make sure parents have a range of options so that they can choose what’s right for their family. 

Whether it be a Government, Catholic or Independent school, parents should be confident that the choice they make for their children will give them the highest quality education. The education system should be set up to allow parents to make that choice.

We also need childcare policies that provide safe options for families to make the choices that are right for them. A one size fits all approach does not work with families juggling modern life.

For some parents the traditional childcare model still meets their needs. For others it doesn't. Governments need to realise this and look to supporting families who will benefit from other childcare options. 

Nationally, despite increases in school funding, student performance in literacy and numeracy has gone backwards. Australians are concerned that there is not enough of a focus on foundational skills.

Our universities are places for critical thinking and to lead those who study at them to unlock lifechanging opportunities. However, under this government, the higher education sector is in crisis, with course reductions, staffing cuts, and antisemitism going unchecked.

Having previously worked in the university sector, served on education boards, and a as dad to a three, and seven-year-old, I bring practical experience to this position.

As Shadow Minister, I want to champion the importance of foundational learning and see genuine transparency about the correlation with federal funding to our education system and student outcomes. I’ll also continue to fight for stronger protections in early learning to keep our youngest Australians safe.

Whether you are an educator, who would like to provide feedback on the curriculum, or a parent juggling work with the school run – I want the voices of teachers and families in our community to help shape the policy we will take to the next election.

Tell me what’s working (and what’s not) in the education sector, by replying to this email, or write to julian.leeser.mp@aph.gov.au

Education is nation-building. The choices we make today determine the Australia of tomorrow.

We owe it to every child to give them the tools to thrive.

Kind regards
Julian Leeser