NSW Nationals call for full Gonski funding

The NSW Nationals have called on the federal government to fulfil the Gonski school funding deal.

THE NSW Nationals have called on the federal government to fulfil the Gonski school funding deal signed by the Gillard government, backing Adrian Piccoli, the state Education Minister.

And NSW regional areas have been promised a big boost in funding for water security, tourism and freight in next week’s state budget, with Nationals leader Andrew Stoner saying there would be $1 billion in investment in regional infrastructure.

Mr Piccoli, a noted critic of the Abbott government’s education approach, carried the floor of the NSW Nationals annual party conference, despite federal ­Nationals member for the Riverina Michael McCormack voicing opposition to a motion calling on the government to fund the full six years of the Gonski agreement.

The Abbott government has agreed to fund the first four years of the Gonski deal with the states, fulfilling an election commitment, but has not agreed to fund the final two years, when the most substantial increases kick in.

Mr Piccoli said he had signed the deal with the Gillard government because it benefited regional schools, which had been historically underfunded.

“Our performances are embarrassing, and should be embarrassing to all Australians, in terms of the differences between regional NSW and metropolitan.

“Why was I the strongest advocate across all education ministers? I think it’s because I’m the only National Party minister. Our electorates benefit the most.”

Mr Piccoli agreed the federal budget deficit needed to be ­addressed, but it was about the choices. For example, the federal government had decided to increase defence spending, he said.

Mr Piccoli said he hoped the federal government would revisit its decision in 2018 when its ­current commitment to Gonski funding expired.

Mr Stoner said one of the projects from the increased funding would be the first new dam west of the great divide in 30 years.

He announced next week’s budget would contain funding for the 90,000 megalitre Needles Gap dam, on the Belubula River near Carcoar, increasing water security for Bathurst, Blayney, Orange, Cabonne, Cowra, Parkes, Forbes and Grenfell.

“The site on the Belubula River offers the chance to maximise use of our water resources for the region without adverse ­environmental outcomes,” Mr Stoner said. A feasibility study would be conducted in the dam, which had an estimated cost of $150 million. “We will be looking to partner with the commonwealth and local council to make this project a reality.”

The government is fin­ancing water projects from its Restart NSW fund, which gets the proceeds from privatisations, such as the ports of Newcastle, Port Kembla and Botany, as well as the sale of electricity generators.

Mr Stoner said next week’s budget would boost the Water Sec­urity for Regions fund by $325m. He also announced a new $110m Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund, which would fund a Casino to Murwillumbah rail trail, as well as $50m for a new Western NSW freight productivity program.