Of course, the Liberal Party cannot make good on its promise while it remains in opposition, but this issue is one which has struck a chord with voters and may well still be on the table in 18 months' time when a state election is due.

Teachers in the Catholic system, and the parents of those they teach, have waged a steady campaign this year against the Brumby Government's lack of funding for Catholic schools, which has fallen well below the levels of state government schools.

In particular, teachers are aggrieved that their state counterparts got hefty payrises in the May budget and not a cent was forthcoming for them.

Such a situation makes it very hard for Catholic schools to attract and retain quality teachers into its ranks.

This is not a debate about private versus public schooling. It is a question of what is fair for the children of Victoria.

Parents have a right to choose where they want to send their children to school.

Likewise, all children have an equal right to government assistance to help them further their education.

Teachers, whether in the private or public sector, perform a valued and important task in educating our young people.

Equal recognition for those efforts should not be too much to ask.

Time for political pair to talk to the police

THINGS keep getting uglier for Federal MP Belinda Neal and her state-MP husband John Della Bosca.

The pair have exercised their legal right in refusing to talk to police about the Iguanas night club incident and associated matters.

Instead, they have provided written statements.

In refusing to talk to the police, they have done nothing wrong.

However, we would expect our politicians to do everything possible to assist with a police investigation. That clearly isn't happening in this case.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has urged Ms Neal to talk. So far, she's ignored that request.

Ms Neal now faces the prospect of being expelled from the Labor Party, a tough price to pay for someone who claims she's done nothing wrong.