Education, it has long been established, is perhaps the best ladder out of poverty, as well as a proven way to turn those adults into happy, productive and successful members of the community. It is also well known that education is one of the best guards against isolation from society, dislocation and ultimate dependence on the welfare system.

Therefore the imposition of a significant barrier to those benefits in the form of a $10,000 fee for children of temporary residents to access the public education system seems not only punitive, but short-sighted.

In a week where the contentious federal funding of private schools has hit the headlines, the ACT Human Rights Commissioner has condemned the prohibitive cost of public education for temporary residents. It stands to reason that affordable primary school education is accessible to all, especially in Australia where it is also compulsory.

While it only affects those that fall under certain visa categories, in the case of Peyma Choden of Bhutan, she left her only daughter at home overseas to be looked after by the girl's elderly grandmother because the cost of primary school in Australia was too exclusive. The government boasts about improving education for "every young person across Australia" regardless of their background, location, individual circumstances or school setting, but it seems this is limited to citizens and permanent residents, and temporary residents who can afford it.

In the ACT, the government has pinpointed the same ideas of high quality, accessible education for all as a central goal.

Even where the children of temporary residents return to their country of origin, exposure to the ACT's excellent public education system is likely to make them good ambassadors for Australia into the future.

While in most other aspects of society we encourage equality, inclusivity and accessibility, it seems public primary schools could be locking out some of the most vulnerable.