Labor to put Gonski education reforms before Parliament

LABOR will attempt to legislate its Gonski school funding formulas this week in a take-it-or-leave-it move to force the reforms on reluctant states.

Julia Gillard

LABOR will attempt to legislate its proposed Gonski school funding formulas in a take-it-or-leave-it move to force the reforms on reluctant state governments.

The government today introduced amendments onto parliament to the Australian Education Bill, despite having only NSW and the ACT signed up to the plan.

The announcement comes as Queensland hardens its position against the commonwealth's funding offer.

Schools Minister Peter Garrett said he was absolutely confident of securing an agreement and would proceed on that basis.

"Legislation will come into parliament this week reflecting amendments to the Australian Education Bill," he said.

"I'm hopeful that we'll see more states sign soon, but in the meantime it's absolutely crucial for us that we focus on the issues at hand."

Independent MPs Andrew Wilkie and Rob Oakeshott today pledged their support for the bill.

In a letter to Julia Gillard obtained by The Australian, Queensland Premier Campbell Newman said it was "increasingly unlikely that a mutually acceptable agreement can be reached" by the June 30 deadline.

He said because of the intransigence of the federal government, "even if agreement could be reached on the starting point, the flow-on effects would require substantial revision of your funding offer".

Western Australia is also opposed, while the federal government is yet to gain the support of even the Labor states, Tasmania and South Australia.

Wayne Swan said Mr Newman was knocking back much-needed resources for Queensland schools.

"It is very, very disappointing that Cambell Newman wants to play a wrecking role," the Treasurer said today.

"There is only one reason that Campbell Newman is not coming to the table - he is putting the politics of Tony Abbott and the Liberal National Party ahead of the education of millions of young Queenslanders, and its deeply disappointing to see him do that."

Mr Newman's declaration is the latest blow to the Gillard government's attempts to get most states and territories to agree to its $14.5 billion-a-year National Plan for School Improvement and have it legislated before parliament rises at the end of the month for the election.

A spokesman for Ms Gillard said there was $2.2 million in extra funding "on the table" for the average school in Queensland over the next six years.