Lack of funding for school psychologists a Government failure, say Greens

Date: 
Tuesday, June 26, 2012

WA Greens Member for East Metropolitan Region Alison Xamon has condemned the State Government for its failure to provide adequate school psychology services in the East Metro Region.


Ms Xamon referred to new data that showed school psychologist staffing levels were significantly below that recommended in several schools across her electorate.


“School psychologists are a critical part of the support network for schools and families and are often the first point of call for young people in trouble,” Ms Xamon said.


“It is simply not good enough to fail to provide these critical services to our most vulnerable students.


“The Australian Psychological Society has called for a ratio of one school psychologist to 500 students.


“At Mt Lawley SHS there are 1339 students, and just 1 FTE school psychologist, instead of the recommended 2.6 FTE.


“The primary schools of Mount Lawley, Sutherland, Yokine and West Morley have 1243 students between them and a total of only 0.6 FTE school psychologists, instead of the recommended 2.5 FTE.


“WA can afford quality public services.  It’s a question of priorities. 


“If we can’t afford quality public services at this time in our State’s economic history, when will he be able to afford them?”


Save Our Services:


Alison Xamon is a signatory to the Save Our Services Action Plan committing the WA Greens to support for quality public services. 


The Action Plan is a commitment to:



  1. Share the benefits of the boom.  Record State Government mining royalties must be invested in quality public services and infrastructure.

  2. Fund for growth. Public services must be adequately funded to keep pace with WA’s rapidly growing population.

  3. Quality services for regional WA.  All Western Australians deserve access to quality public services, no matter where they live.

  4. No privatisation.  State Government services should remain in public hands and should not be sold off to private companies or outsourced to charities.

  5. Fair workplaces. The State Government should provide fair wages and conditions to attract and retain quality workers.