Gonski bypassed at another COAG

The Gillard Government has again avoided the Gonski Review at another COAG meeting casting further doubt over the Prime Minister’s ability to deliver on her commitment to introduce a new funding model said the Shadow Minister for Education, Christopher Pyne.

“The current funding arrangements finish at the end of 2013. Without legislation in place that has been given the tick by the states, not to mention the billions and billions of dollars in additional spending, there will be no funding model,” Mr Pyne said.

“What we know from this meeting of COAG is that states governments are already under tremendous financial pressure and have to make very tough decisions over their spending priorities,” he said.

“Gonski said 70 per cent of the new funding should come from the states. A recent report suggested the new funding model would cost $6.5 billion a year. Over the forward estimates, that is $26 billion.

“This would mean state governments need to find more than $18 billion in new education funding over the next four years. After today’s meeting, no one should be under any illusion this is even a remote possibility.

“If the extra money is not part of the model, then there is no model. Non-government schools will lose out and school fees will have to increase. Cost of living for millions of parents will rise.

“Schools need funding certainty, not more spin and raised expectations from a Labor Government that never delivers on its promises,” Mr Pyne said.

July 25, 2012