Catholics warn of NSW poll pain if deal not backed

Catholic schools have warned the Berejiklian government it will face a backlash in the election if it doesn’t back the funding deal.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Picture: AAP

Catholic schools in NSW have warned the Berejiklian government it will face a statewide backlash in the lead-up to next year’s election if it stands in the way of a new $4.5 billion funding deal, as the states yesterday demanded more commonwealth money for public schools.

Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan began negotiations with state governments but none have agreed to sign up to bilateral agreements after the funding deal was struck between the commonwealth and Catholic and independent school sectors.

A $1.2bn fund would support non-government schools in drought-affected areas and those that need help to lift performance, while a further $3.2bn would go to Catholic and independent schools across the country over 10 years.

“Funding for Catholic and independent schools is paid via the states,” Mr Tehan said, “so if the state education ministers refuse to sign up to bilateral agreements they will have to explain to the parents of kids who go to these schools why they have no funding. It would be a disgrace if they use school kids as pawns in their funding games. Parents would be disgusted.”

Catholic Schools NSW chief executive Dallas McInerney told The Weekend Australian the state government would be responsible for school closures if it withheld commonwealth funds to the sector after state Education Minister Rob Stokes lashed the deal as unfair.

“Having got certainty for the sector we now have a state education minister standing between a deal and the money reaching the schools,” Mr McInerney said. “We urge (the state government) to follow through with the agreement for the sake of NSW schoolchildren.”

Mr McInerney issued a veiled threat that the sector was willing to campaign against the Berejiklian government as it prepares to go to the polls in March. “Having settled an agreement with the federal agreement on schools, we are keen to engage with the NSW government and the opposition in the run-up to the state election,” he said.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said additional funding for NSW schools was “always welcome” but refused to back the new deal.

“We want to ensure we secure the best possible deal for all students in NSW,” she said.

“The Gonski principles, which NSW supports, say that school funding should be needs-based and sector-blind and these are the principles we hold dear.”

Queensland Education Minister Grace Grace demanded a funding boost for public schools, saying she would “not sign up to any agreement until this inequity is ­addressed”.

The Victorian Labor government said the Coalition now needed to “focus all of its attention” to ensure a fair deal for government schools, while the Liberal South Australian government said there was a responsibility to ensure public students were supported.

Tasmania’s Liberal government added: “If the federal government is willing to expand the funding ­envelope, then our government schools deserve more recognition.”

West Australian Education Minister Sue Ellery wanted to see the “total picture of what is on the table” before ruling “any of it out”.

Scott Morrison heaped pressure on Mr Stokes to “get on board”. “I’m sure once he fully understands what was announced … he’ll see the benefits to parents not only in his own electorate of Pittwater up in the Broken Bay diocese but right across the state.”

Bill Shorten claimed Labor had “won the money for the Catholic sector” but declared: “Now it’s the turn of the state school kids.”

Additional Reporting: Jared Owens, Andrew Burrell