Lack of policy leadership in Australia

Currently well off Australians buy their way out of the public health system, into independent schools, increasing their choice in values-based education as well standards. Meanwhile, less well off Australians are trapped in a one-size-fits-all public education system where competitive pressure doesn't drive up standards and kids are locked into their local school.

Under the current system wealthier parents can even game the system by purchasing a house close to a better school than their local one, to improve the standard of education for their kids. Poorer families cannot. Introducing a vouchers system where education funding is tied to a student, enabling them to move between schools that increase choice for all parents and children while driving competitive pressure, requires significant structural reform.

Like in health, the leadership effort to do so would be well worth it. But in a hotly contested political environment, doing so would require our politicians to lead us beyond our comfort zone. That means the onus is back on us.

As the citizens whom they serve, we have a responsibility to engage in constructive discussion about future policy challenges and not to be played like a fiddle. In many ways the leadership dilemma rests on our shoulders.