The education minister has sent letters to the top officials of independent and Catholic schools, warning that a Peter Dutton-led government would dictate the curriculum for students and reassuring that funding for private schools would remain unchanged if Labor stays in power.

In the correspondence, Jason Clare sent emails to the executive director of the National Catholic Education Commission, Jacinta Collins, and the CEO of Independent Schools Australia, Graham Catt, cautioning that Dutton may move to dismantle the education department and reduce school funding.

The Conservative coalition has not made any pledges to disband the education department. Dutton himself stated on Monday that he would not be pursuing a previously announced plan to cut 41,000 public service jobs upon being elected.

Concerns over Dutton’s stance on education were raised following comments he made at a Sky News forum on March 31, where he suggested that federal funding could be tied to the curriculum taught by states.

Clare accused Dutton of a “dangerous agenda” resembling that of Donald Trump, who recently signed an order to dismantle the US education department. Dutton’s following statement indicated that he would reduce federal waste and put more money into frontline services, but he did not rule out cutting the education department.

Clare emphasizes in his emails that Dutton’s concept of “states running the schools” is a misunderstanding. A significant role of the federal education department is to fund non-government schools. Clare raised concern that Dutton would manipulate funding to control what is taught. He labels Dutton’s approach as an abandonment of responsibility.

Labor promises to maintain parent choice and ensure that school funding arrangements for non-government schools stay the same. Currently, the federal government funds 80 percent of non-government schools.

Clare also highlights the department’s role in providing infrastructure grants for private schools, assistance with national assessments, curriculum, and resources for First Nations and disabled students. The department has a predominantly female workforce.

Dutton’s office has been contacted for a response.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/07/education-minister-warns-peter-dutton-will-dictate-what-students-are-taught-ntwnfb