Turnbull Government abandons key Gonski principle

Education Minister Kate Jones today said the Turnbull Government had pulled a “Gonski swifty” pushing back education funding on the states.

Ms Jones said the bill passed in the Senate overnight had wound back national education reform.

“Gonski reform was about the federal government making education funding a national priority,” she said.

“But I am concerned last night the Senate voted to push back this responsibility on the states.

 “Mr Turnbull said he supports Gonski but has pulled a Gonski swifty and now he wants the states to pay for it.

“Amendments agreed by the Australian Government to get the Bill passed provide an extra $200 million in federal funding for Queensland schools over the next four years above the 2017-18 Federal Budget.

“Over the same period, we will have to find at least another $1 billion.”

Ms Jones said the Turnbull Government was walking away from national leadership on education.

“The Turnbull Government has legislated to force the states to fund at least 75 percent of the Schooling Resource Standard for state schools by 2023, with only 20 percent coming from the Commonwealth.

“Canberra is dictating to Queensland how we must fund our schools and I know our parents, children and teachers and principals will not cop it.”

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