Peter Garrett has a Winston Smith moment

Also of concern is the fact, given that the education minister has been less then open and transparent by allowing his speech to be doctored, is that the assurances given that no non-government school will suffer financially as a result of the current review of funding, chaired by David Gonaski, appear less credible.

Minister Garrett's lack of credibility is underlined by the fact that when asked about whether non-government schools will suffer financially as a result of the review he refuses to clarify whether funding will be indexed on an annual basis and whether schools will lose government funding to take into account finances raised locally.

Truth in politics, given Julia Gillard's lie about not introducing a carbon tax made before the last federal election and allegations the Craig Thompson, the ALP member for Dobell, has failed to give an open and honest account of his credit card use, is a key factor influencing how politicians are perceived by the public.

While voters are not naive enough to expect that members of parliament are always candid and truthful, given the pragmatic nature of politics and the need to win and maintain power, Australians have greater respect for those politicians who are open and transparent.

By doctoring his speech and making such changes without any acknowledgement Minister Garrett shows that he is in danger of losing that respect.