ational Agreement on schools funding under threat Maurie Mulheron President Gonski schools funding will be slashed by two thirds if the Coalition wins the federal election on September 7. On August 2 federal Opposition leader Tony Abbott announced the six-year Gonski deals (with the NSW, South Australian, Tasmanian, Victorian and ACT governments) would only be honoured for the first four years. This would deliver just $2.8 billion out of the $10 billion under the fully-funded Gonski model. Such a funding shortfall would have major ramifications for the education of children in public schools. Additional resources for all students in all schools and specialist assistance to where it is most needed can only be achieved if the complete Gonski model is supported by all politicians. Mr Abbott’s schools funding proposal would also mean there would be no requirement on state governments to put in their one third of the funding for the fifth and sixth years. That would mean even less resources for schools. For those governments that have not signed agreements (Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory), Labor has promised to return to the negotiating table after the election. The same six-year deals would be on the table – a federal investment of two thirds of the money which has to be matched by a state/territory government commitment to invest one third of the money. Governments also have to shift to funding arrangements that fit with the Gonski model. In contrast, Mr Abbott said he would deliver the Gonski funding for those states/territory without an agreement for one year only – without requiring them to even maintain their own funding, let alone contribute a matching third. They also would not need to change the way they distribute money to a fairer system. Mr Abbott has also given no commitment to stick with the Gonski funding model under which money is distributed according to the needs of students. He has pledged to try and renegotiate agreements with all state and territory governments next year. That appears to contradict his position that existing Gonski agreements would be honoured for four of the six years. During this critical election period keep your community informed about the vital need to secure a full funding Gonski Guarantee from all candidates, including Opposition leader Tony Abbott. His failure to commit to the full six years of funding will speak volumes about the Coalition’s commitment to the future education of our children.
Posted on: Fri, 09 Aug 2013 07:18:09 +0000
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