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NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro says the state government will continue to push for the original Gonski education agreement to be honoured, despite new measures being passed through the senate.
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In Tamworth on Friday, Mr Barilaro said while the new $23.5 billion funding package created certainty for NSW schools, the government would continue to advocate for the original deal made with Labor in 2012 to be honoured.
“We made an agreement back in 2012-2013, with the then-Gillard government, and we made some tough decisions as a state to find our $1.7 billion to put on the table as part of the Gonski deal,” he said.
“We’ve said from the outset, we want the original deal honoured. We’re going to continue to advocate the original deal.
“But, in saying that Gonski 2.0, or it’s probably 3.0 this morning because there has been some amendments overnight, means more money for regional schools and rural schools.
“It is the first time that the federal government has acknowledged a needs-based funding and that’s why the NSW government was the first state to sign up to it.
New England teachers federation organiser Tim Danaher confirmed local teachers will continue the campaign for equal school funding across the board.
He said local teachers were disappointed by the decision.
“We will never get to the resource level that we need to be under this model,” Mr Danaher said.
“The other thing is the crossbenchers that made these decisions have basically cut off their support from all the students with needs in their electorates.
“They have to stand up and be accountable to their constituents”
He said the campaign would continue for teachers across the state who would be approaching their local members.
“The teachers federation and the community will continue to fight for the true needs-based funding and ensure students have the resources they need to reach their full potential,” he said.
“I think there’s a lot of disappointment and a lot of anger and frustration in the fact that the government is passing this off as true needs-based funding.
“We will still be very active and continue to meet with all MPs, federal and state, to ensure they are aware of our concerns.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, welcomed the passing of the legislation through both Houses of Parliament.
“This is great news for schools, students, and parents across Australia and particularly in the New England Electorate. It provides certainty for the future. It means hundreds of millions of extra dollars will be poured into the 122 New England Electorate schools over the next 10 years,” he said.
“This historic reform will deliver tangible benefits to students, parents and teachers. It represents a major investment in Australia’s future. Our Quality Schools reforms deliver an additional $23.5 billion, on top of the 2016 Budget, for Australian schools over the next decade and we will ensure that investment is distributed according to need, as envisaged by David Gonski’s Review of School Funding in 2011.
“Our reforms ensure students with the same need within the same sector attract the same support from the Commonwealth Government, regardless of where they live,” Mr Joyce said.
