Report confirms Labor’s changes will result in higher school fees

Queensland Independent Schools have released a report showing Queensland schools stand to lose at least $18 million under Labor’s proposed school funding changes.

“Schools will be forced to find this funding shortfall by increasing school fees, putting further pressure on cost of living for parents at the worst possible time,” said Christopher Pyne, Shadow Minister for Education today.

“Mr Garrett has claimed no school will lose a dollar under Labor’s school funding changes, but the Queensland modelling has exposed this statement as another Labor lie,” Mr Pyne said.

“Parents should be in no doubt that some non-government schools will lose under these changes and this shortfall will have to be made up by higher school fees,” he said.

“Mr Garrett also refuses to give a simple guarantee that funding will continue in real terms. This is creating uncertainty within the sector, stopping schools from planning for the future.

“The Government released the Gonski report, which they are at pains to point out is not their policy. They refused to commit to the additional funding the report calls for, or even discuss how much it will cost.

“At the same time Mr Garrett and the Prime Minister are criss-crossing the country talking about changing the system. They have created a climate of uncertainty, with the current school funding model due to expire at the end of next year and have no policy ready to replace it.

“The Coalition is offering certainty for parents and schools – the same quantum of funding, fully indexed, meaning there will be no upward pressure on school fees,” Mr Pyne said.

April 19, 2012