The Turnbull Government’s schools funding plan has passed the House of Representatives despite the hypocritical opposition of all Labor members to Gonski needs-based funding.
Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham said the Australian Education Amendment Bill 2017 would deliver an extra $18.6 billion of needs-based funding – from current record levels – to Australia’s schools regardless of background, sector or faith while ensuring that investment is tied to initiatives in schools proven to boost outcomes.
Minister Birmingham said Labor Members would have to answer for their actions trying to block an additional $18.6 billion for schools and the real Gonski model for funding distribution.
“Today the Turnbull Government is one step closer to realising David Gonski’s vision for true, sector-blind needs-based funding for Australia’s schools,” Minister Birmingham said.
“Our plan delivers an additional $18.6 billion for Australian schools but that investment will be distributed according to a real needs-based formula that’s been endorsed by David Gonski. Our plan gets rid of the 27 special deals Labor stitched up that Gonski Review panellist Dr Ken Boston said “corrupted” needs-based funding.
“Every Labor Member should hang their heads in shame. Labor voted against more money for schools, they voted against real needs-based funding and they voted against reforms to boost student outcomes. Instead Labor voted for special deals, they voted to discriminate against students depending on which state they live in and they voted for political gain rather than in the interests of all Australian students.
“After years of huff and puff claiming to have supported the Gonski Review’s findings we have seen the hypocrisy of Bill Shorten and Tanya Plibersek writ large.
“Labor has proposed no alternative except to continue the status quo of 27 special deals that distort needs-based funding and throwing more money at the situation which currently sees a disadvantaged student in one state get up to $2,100 less than a student in an identical school in another state would attract.
“Bill Shorten and Tanya Plibersek need to explain:
- Why they voted to see Government schools receive a lower legislated funding growth compared to the Coalition’s plan for 5.1 per cent average annual increases?
- Why they voted for schools of identical need to receive different levels of federal funding for their Schooling Resource Standard just because they live in a different state?
- Why, after invoking his name for years, they are going against David Gonski's endorsement of the Coalition’s plan?
- Why they prefer different funding methodologies that advantage some non-government schools over others?
- Why they want to continue the 27 special deals Labor implemented that sees a needy student in one state get up to $1,500 less than if that same student was in the same school but in another state?”
Minister Birmingham said the Turnbull Government’s plan had been backed by parent and educator groups from various states and sectors, by independent think tanks like the Grattan Institute and the Mitchell Institute and by David Gonski himself.
“I welcome the commentary and support from different quarters that aren’t tainted by special interest as well as the open-minded and engaging approach of the Senate crossbench. Their approach stands in stark contrast to the hypocrisy, crass negativity and outright lies being told by Labor.
“As well as ensuring Australia has truly needs-based funding the Turnbull Government recognises how important it is to see that funding used on initiatives in schools that boost student results.
“That’s why David Gonski will lead an entirely new inquiry into the most effective teaching and learning strategies to reverse the declining results of Australian schools.
“This new work will not revisit the review on funding because our reforms act on its recommendations. Instead, it’ll be about ensuring our record and growing levels of funding are used effectively to support the implementation of programs in schools proven to boost student outcomes.”
Labor today voted to see:
• 54 schools in Bill Shorten’s electorate of Maribyrnong miss out on an average of $7.2 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 40 schools in Tanya Plibersek’s electorate of Sydney miss out on an average of $2.5 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 49 schools in Anthony Albanese’s electorate of Grayndler miss out on an average of $4.8 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 48 schools in Anne Aly’s electorate of Cowan miss out on an average of $7.2 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 70 schools in Sharon Bird’s electorate of Cunningham miss out on an average of $4.7 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 49 schools in Chris Bowen’s electorate of McMahon miss out on an average of $7.5 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 71 schools in Gai Brodtmann’s electorate of Canberra miss out on an average of $2.4 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 49 schools in Tony Burke’s electorate of Watson miss out on an average of $7.2 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 47 schools in Linda Burney’s electorate of Barton miss out on an average of $5.4 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 46 schools in Mark Butler’s electorate of Port Adelaide miss out on an average of $6.6 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 43 schools in Terri Butler’s electorate of Griffith miss out on an average of $6.4 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 46 schools in Anthony Byrne’s electorate of Holt miss out on an average of $7.7 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 39 schools in Jim Chalmer’s electorate of Rankin miss out on an average of $10.6 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 78 schools in Nick Champion’s electorate of Wakefield miss out on an average of $5.9 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 84 schools in Lisa Chester’s electorate of Bendigo miss out on an average of $4.1 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 55 schools in Jason Clare’s electorate of Blaxland miss out on an average of $8.1 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 66 schools in Sharon Claydon’s electorate of Newcastle miss out on an average of $5.1 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 50 schools in Julie Collins’ electorate of Franklin miss out on an average of $3.7 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 56 schools in Pat Conroy’s electorate of Shortland miss out on an average of $3.8 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 37 schools in Michael Danby’s electorate of Melbourne Ports miss out on an average of $6.7 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 39 schools in Milton Dick’s electorate of Oxley miss out on an average of $7.7 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 80 schools in Justine Elliot’s electorate of Richmond miss out on an average of $4.1 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 62 schools in Kate Ellis’ electorate of Adelaide miss out on an average of $7.1 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 81 schools in Joel Fitzgibbon’s electorate of Hunter miss out on an average of $4 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 64 schools in Michael Freelander’s electorate of Macarthur miss out on an average of $6.2 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 41 schools in Steve Georganas’ electorate of Hindmarsh miss out on an average of $6 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 46 schools in Andrew Giles’ electorate of Scullin miss out on an average of $7.6 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 51 schools in Luke Gosling’s electorate of Solomon miss out on an average of $4.9 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 43 schools in Tim Hammond’s electorate of Perth miss out on an average of $5.7 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 48 schools in Ross Hart’s electorate of Bass miss out on an average of $4.9 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 46 schools in Chris Hayes’ electorate of Fowler miss out on an average of $8.4 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 48 schools in Julian Hill’s electorate of Bruce miss out on an average of $7.1 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 62 schools in Emma Husar’s electorate of Lindasay miss out on an average of $6.6 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 60 schools in Ed Husic’s electorate of Chifley miss out on an average of $7.6 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 64 schools in Stephen Jones’ electorate of Whitlam miss out on an average of $5.1 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 62 schools in Justine Keay’s electorate of Braddon miss out on an average of $3.9 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 82 schools in Mike Kelly’s electorate of Eden-Monaro miss out on an average of $2.8 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 55 schools in Matt Keogh’s electorate of Burt miss out on an average of $6.7 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 47 schools in Peter Khalil’s electorate of Wills miss out on an average of $5.1 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 81 schools in Catherine King’s electorate of Ballarat miss out on an average of $4.7 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 54 schools in Madeline King’s electorate of Brand miss out on an average of $7.1 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 41 schools in Susan Lamb’s electorate of Longman miss out on an average of $8 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 60 schools in Andrew Leigh’s electorate of Fenner miss out on an average of $2 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 50 schools in Jenny Macklin’s electorate of Jagajaga miss out on an average of $5.2 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 55 schools in Richard Marles’ electorate of Corio miss out on an average of $7.3 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 44 schools in Emma McBride’s electorate of Dobell miss out on an average of $7.1 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 52 schools in Brian Mitchell’s electorate of Lyons miss out on an average of $1.9 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 68 schools in Rob Mitchell’s electorate of McEwen miss out on an average of $5.2 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 71 schools in Shayne Neumann’s electorate of Blair miss out on an average of $5.7 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 46 schools in Brendan O’Connor’s electorate of Gorton miss out on an average of $8 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 43 schools in Clare O’Neil’s electorate of Hotham miss out on an average of $5.4 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 50 schools in Cathy O’Toole’s electorate of Herbert miss out on an average of $9.9 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 57 schools in Julie Owens’ electorate of Parramatta miss out on an average of $6.5 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 43 schools in Graham Perrett’s electorate of Moreton miss out on an average of $5.6 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 47 schools in Amanda Rishworth’s electorate of Kingston miss out on an average of $6.3 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 55 schools in Michelle Rowland’s electorate of Greenway miss out on an average of $6.1 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 53 schools in Joanne Ryan’s electorate of Lalor miss out on an average of $10.5 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 137 schools in Warren Snowdon’s electorate of Lingiari miss out on an average of $3.2 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 61 schools in Anne Stanley’s electorate of Werriwa miss out on an average of $9 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 41 schools in Wayne Swan’s electorate of Lilley miss out on an average of $6.3 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 61 schools in Meryl Swanson’s electorate of Paterson miss out on an average of $5.8 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 69 schools in Susan Templeman’s electorate Macquarie miss out on an average of $3.9 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 45 schools in Matt Thistlethwaite’s electorate of Kingsford Smith miss out on an average of $4.5 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 49 schools in Maria Vamvakinou’s electorate of Calwell miss out on an average of $11.8 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 52 schools in Tim Watts’ electorate of Gellibrand miss out on an average of $5 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 53 schools in Josh Wilson’s electorate of Fremantle miss out on an average of $5 million each in additional Gonski funding
• 50 schools in Tony Zappia’s electorate of Makin miss out on an average of $6.4 million each in additional Gonski funding
Further details of the Turnbull Government’s plan to transform schools available here and at www.education.gov.au/qualityschools