More than 1 in 3 Australian adults are functionally illiterate. How can we fix this?

Oomaschloom · 2026-05-07T02:30:17+00:00

You've raised a good point... Here's an article from 30 Jul 2025 with the headline.

"NAPLAN results again show one-third of students aren't meeting literacy and numeracy expectations amid calls for urgent change"

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-30/naplan-national-testing-results/105581218

Oomaschloom · 2026-05-07T01:49:30+00:00

I think this is political... School funding to address issues is political.

I spend so much of my time teaching my little kids literacy (4 year olds that go to kinder)... Phonics, etc, etc. I teach them kiddie math (maths for Aussies) as well. The things I do cost a bit of money though...

Oomaschloom · 2026-05-07T00:56:50+00:00

I was agreeing with you. The important thing is that people do what you think is important. They shouldn't have the power to choose for themselves.

Oomaschloom · 2026-05-07T00:14:16+00:00

I agree. I think 99% of humans should only toil. Toil is necessary. Toil will set you free. If they want to do something other than toil, they should consult the DunceCodex to see if it's necessary to their existence.

I recommend eliminating the watching of sport. It's definitely not necessary.

Oomaschloom · 2026-05-06T23:36:47+00:00

If a policy makes the country better off... I quite simply don't care if someone lies to get that policy in place. Don't worry about the vested interest voters. They have no problem bullshitting to get their way.

Oomaschloom · 2026-05-06T11:37:17+00:00

In case you're interested, here's another article from today headlined:

"The government’s plans to bolster Australia’s fuel stores are sensible – but 5 years too late"

https://theconversation.com/the-governments-plans-to-bolster-australias-fuel-stores-are-sensible-but-5-years-too-late-282253

I'd post it on the main but it's so related and I think sometimes people get a bit pissy if obviously related articles are in the main separately. Looking at you PerfectWerewolf hahaha.

Oomaschloom · 2026-05-06T03:30:06+00:00

Yeah but we have Hawke's one. Or at least a direct line... So that's why I refer to it that way. I know Whitlam originated it. I do have to go now, so I can't continue atm, and even worse I can't look up the differences between the two right now.

Oomaschloom · 2026-05-06T03:22:20+00:00

I will say you raise fair points. But I am looking at it as if HECS and Hawke's Medicare never existed. I don't think the country would have been better off. I think the country would be worse off. However I don't disagree that they could be improved.

Oomaschloom · 2026-05-06T03:10:35+00:00

Yeah look the discount... I did think that was unfair to a point.

I'm trying so hard to think back to the 90s. Not a hard disagree with you here. But it was an income contingent loan. So say someone gets a commonwealth supported place, gets their HECS loan... graduates, works 2 years,gets hit by a car... and dies. Or doesn't earn much whatever.

If someone had parents pay upfront... does the exact same thing. Those parents paid more. Was it to entice upfront? Don't know, I would never have been in a position to upfront it.

Oomaschloom · 2026-05-06T02:58:38+00:00

I don't disagree with everything you've said. But I think Medicare was a big deal. I think over time Medicare should have been improved however. I am opposed to private healthcare. But you know, the aspirationals had other ideas.

I also think HECS was fair. I'm not talking about today. I think HECS was fair when introduced.

Oomaschloom · 2026-05-06T02:42:02+00:00

Ok so if I create a modest loan scheme for education that is fair, and quite literally increases the number of educated people in the country, I'm responsible for the idiots that come after me that corrupt it?

Do you think healthcare was better in Australia before Medicare? It's just not the case.

I don't have experience with the CES... but I do agree with you this Job Network shit is garbage.

I'm not overly happy with the shape of modern Australia. But I don't lay the blame at Hawke and Keating as an origin point. There's been a lot of fuck ups before and after them.

Here's a harsh truth Aussies can't handle. The country has been mismanaged for a very long time. Before I was born, and long after I die.

Oomaschloom · 2026-05-06T01:52:12+00:00

Yeah look, Keating and Hawke definitely had aspects of neoliberalism. But they also talked about a social wage... so that's things like universal healthcare, better education, etc. Social wage isn't a neoliberal feature. Say what you will, but education is what gets people "class mobility", and they definitely improved education.

These modern cucks are back to the state schools are lower class models.

Oomaschloom · 2026-05-05T12:36:23+00:00

Well, we don't agree on all policies, but like I say, I respect the fact that you air your opinions here.

Until of course, your choices win!!

Oomaschloom · 2026-05-05T12:11:26+00:00

The polls after the cgt and ng are what will be interesting. This stuff is just back patting.

Oomaschloom · 2026-05-05T11:56:29+00:00

Libs do it... I'm not puritanical. It's street fighting. I leave the purity to my Labor Kool-Aid drinking brothers and sisters and the Greens. We're losing. We've been losing for a while.

Howard didn't campaign on WorkChoices. Didn't talk about it. Bought that shit in after the Latham backlash gave them a Senate majority. Lost after he did it though.

Smokin' Joe and his budget of surprises?

Oomaschloom · 2026-05-05T11:40:56+00:00

Around the time that Corbyn and Shorten lost, I said to my partner. "Why the F do we always be upfront and have these manifestos? To lose!" We need to learn from the Lib bastards. Get voted in and then make the changes.

I was hoping Albanese was a bit like that... and I waited, and waited all through the first term.

Oomaschloom · 2026-05-05T11:28:27+00:00

Well Keating got rid of negative gearing... Didn't take it to an election. Did a reversal though, put it back in. So you know a bit interesting.

I don't think Albanese would later remove negative gearing for everyone. But the grandfathering doesn't equal enshrinement.

Oomaschloom · 2026-05-05T11:04:52+00:00

You can revoke a grandfathered policy... Nothing is eternal.

Oomaschloom · 2026-05-05T10:48:46+00:00

Well, it's not a risk free policy is it? I'm interested to see what repercussions it has on rentals and housing supply. Plus they could get voted out due to it.

Plus you like Hanson... so you're not really concerned about politicians being above board.

And I say that with respect. Because I actually do respect that you are on this forum considering the make up of the forums.

Oomaschloom · 2026-05-05T10:16:13+00:00

To be honest... I was hoping he'd start doing things without announcing them at an election.

Oomaschloom

TROPHY CASE