The forum featured representatives from the local community, who talked about the importance of seeing out the needs-based public school funding program proposed in the Gonski report. The report recommended a federal government funded program for six years, until the end of 2019.

However the government has only guaranteed to provide extra funding until 2017.

Independent candidate Tony Windsor and Greens candidate Mercurius Goldstein outlined their education platform at the forum, with both supporting the full Gonski reforms.

Statements were also read from the Country Labor candidate David Ewings and independent Rob Taber, again supporting the reforms.

A NSWTF spokesperson said those at the forum were left feeling ignored by incumbent member Barnaby Joyce, who could not attend and did not provide a statement for the meeting to consider.

NSWTF deputy president Gary Zadkovich said in 2013 there was bipartisanship for full Gonski funding.

“Politics were put aside and students put first,” he said.

The seat of New England has received $14.1 million in extra funding – the second highest after Parkes – but would miss out on a great deal more, with most of the Gonski funding coming in the last two years.

Mr Zadkovich said the money is there but politicians were not prepared to allocate it to schools.

He suggested building one less submarine would provide the full Gonski funding.

“Gonski is the fairest system of education funding we’ll ever see in our life time – every child has the right to an equal opportunity to a quality education,” Mr Zadkovich said.

“The message from the forum is to stand up for our children and grandchildren and call on all political parties and candidates in the New England to support full Gonski funding.”