Gonski 2.0: Turnbull Government’s school funding reforms at risk from within

UPDATE: VICTORIAN schools would lose $200 million in federal funding over the next four years if the Turnbull Government fails to pass its reform package through the Parliament.

An $18 billion funding reform package for Australian schools is at risk of being derailed from within the Turnbull Government. Picture Kym Smith

VICTORIAN schools would lose $200 million in federal funding over the next four years if the Turnbull Government fails to pass its reform package through the Parliament.

The Herald Sun can reveal that if the government’s Gonski deal is unsuccessful, Victorian schools would be substantially worse off if business-as-usual funding arrangements continued.

Education Department figures seen by the Herald Sun show Victorian schools would face a $1.2 billion hole over the next decade without the government’s changes, because federal funding would revert to what is currently legislated rather than Labor’s first Gonski model.

The $18 billion-funding reform package for Australian schools is at risk of being derailed from within the Turnbull Government despite edging closer to a deal with the crossbench.

Education Minister Simon Birmingham faced a difficult party room meeting on Tuesday after Coalition colleagues had demanded full disclosure of the funding details amid claims Catholic schools are being short-changed.

MP SLAMS CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN AGAINST GONSKI SCHOOL FUNDING REFORMS

Education Minister Simon Birmingham could face a backlash at today’s party room meeting from Coalition colleagues. Picture: AP/Mick Tsikas

Some Coalition MPs are also nervous that the government could be forced to make concessions to the Greens over the deal.

The “Gonski 2.0” reforms — which implement a needs-based funding system pouring more cash into the public schools and scaling back the level of funding growth to ­independent and Catholics schools — are expected to be voted on by the Senate this week.

Victorian Liberal MP and former minister Kevin Andrews on Monday demanded an explanation from Senator ­Birmingham on funding modelling he claimed had been kept from MPs.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS COACHING PARENTS TO PRESSURE GREENS TO OPPOSE DEAL

Victorian Liberal MP and former minister Kevin Andrews has demanded an explanation on funding modelling he claims has been kept from MPs. Picture: Kym Smith

Department modelling revealed at the weekend showed Catholic schools would be $4.6 billion worse off over the next decade while public schools would share $4 billion more if the government’s package passed.

But Senator Birmingham argued the Catholic sector would actually be getting $3.4 billion extra.

Mr Andrews has warned he would not sign off in the lower house on any deal the government does with the Greens on school funding.

He said he was concerned the new modelling was ­different from what MPs were told at the time and may ­support the Catholic sector’s opposition to the reforms. ­Liberal Senator Chris Back — who retires from politics at the end of the week, said he was “not yet convinced” by the legislation.

He is threatening to defy his government’s policy and cross the floor in the senate.

Senator Birmingham is understood to have offered a compromise to the Greens that includes getting money to schools faster than the planned 10 years, more accountability over state government funding, and an independent watchdog.

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