Victoria signs one-month school funding deal to ensure Commonwealth cash flows in 2019
Victorian Catholic and independent schools will be able to open next year after a last-ditch deal between the warring state and federal governments to provide in $1.7 billion in Commonwealth funding next month.
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More than 700 Victorian Catholic and independent schools will share in $1.7 billion of Commonwealth funding next month after a last-ditch deal between the warring state and federal governments.
The Andrews Government has refused to sign up to a record school funding offer from the Morrison Government, which has been accepted by every other state and territory.
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With non-government schools fearing they would not be able to open at the start of next year, Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan moved over the weekend to offer an interim one-month deal.
The emergency agreement, accepted by the Andrews Government today, means non-government schools will receive funding on January 7 which covers their budgets for the first six months of next year.
Victorian Education Minister @JamesMerlinoMP confirms Cabinet has agreed to a one-month school funding deal to ensure non-government schools get $1.7 billion in federal cash in January. @theheraldsun #springst #auspol pic.twitter.com/i9I6a8mJUA
— Tom Minear (@tminear) December 17, 2018
Victorian Education Minister James Merlino said both governments were committed to signing a long-term agreement before June 30, but vowed he would not sign the “dud deal” on the table.
“We’ve got a federal election in May … and Victorians will have a choice,” Mr Merlino said, pointing out that federal Labor was offering an extra $800 million for Victorian schools over three years.
Mr Tehan said he was “very pleased” that the Commonwealth’s “record funding” could begin to flow to Victorian schools next month.
Asked if he was concerned the Andrews Government would delay negotiations until after the federal election, Mr Tehan said: “Schools and students shouldn’t be the victims of politics”.
“My hope is the (Andrews Government) will do the right thing by Victorian students,” he said.
Twitter: @tminear
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