School ban unprecedented: Peter Garrett

FEDERAL School Education Minister Peter Garrett says Queensland's decision to ban him from visiting two state schools is a dark moment for democracy.

FEDERAL School Education Minister Peter Garrett says Queensland's decision to ban him from visiting two state schools is a dark moment for democracy.

Mr Garrett says he's stunned by the Newman government's “unprecedented” decision to refuse him access, amid a war over school funding reforms.

Queensland is refusing to sign up to Julia Gillard's Gonski funding plans and accuses her government of using school kids as props in a political campaign.

In an email to Mr Garrett's office yesterday, the Queensland government denied him permission to visit two Brisbane schools to discuss the federal government's school improvement plans.

It referred to Ms Gillard's attack on the Newman government's refusal to sign up, which she made during a visit to a Brisbane school yesterday.

“... there is a concern that our schools are being used as political stages,” the email said.

“We don't think this is good for either students or staff.”

The ban comes after a planned Labor fundraiser tonight at a public school in Western Australia, to be attended by the Prime Minister, was cancelled after state Education Minister Peter Collier decided it was inappropriate.

Mr Garrett today accused the Queensland government of acting belligerently in its negotiations over the school funding reforms and called on Premier Campbell Newman and Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek to reconsider the ban on visits.

“In a democracy, all views are heard. In a democracy, it's essential citizens get to hear what's put on the table by relevant ministers those policies we believe are going to be in their best interests,” he said.

“In a democracy, you don't ban the education minister visiting schools simply because you don't like what you're hearing.”

Mr Garrett said Queensland schools were big winners under federal school reforms.

“What a tragedy if on the altar of partisan politics the Premier denied the opportunity for his students to receive extra resources over time.”

South Australia's Labor Premier Jay Weatherill, who is expected to sign up to the reforms, took to Twitter to ridicule the Queensland government.

“PGarrett MP welcome in SA schools anytime - looks like QLD is sliding back into the Bjelke-Peterson era.”

The Queensland government insists some state schools will be worse off under the reforms, something Canberra denies.

Mr Langbroek said he would not tolerate state schools being used for the “Gonski media roadshow”.

He reminded the federal government that “the states run the schools”.

“I think people may have forgotten that,” he said.

In NSW, federal MPs visiting schools must seek the permission of the state's education minister unless they are the local member, in which case they must ask the principal.

They are also required to notify the department of education, usually by phone.

The Australian Council of State Schools Organisations, a peak body representing parents, pupils and school communities, said politicians of all stripes must be free to visit schools and democratically discuss their ideas and plans.

“Where's the transparency here? It seems to be lacking in this case,” ACSSO president Peter Garrigan said.

“People need to know what's being said by the current government in relation to Gonski funding and what's also being said by the Queensland government.”

The West Australian fundraiser, featuring comedian Ben Elton quizzing Ms Gillard, was to have been held tonight at the John Curtin College of the Arts theatre in Fremantle.

Local federal MP Melissa Parke described the cancellation as a “nakedly political decision” by the WA Liberal government.

A spokesman for Ms Gillard described the decision as an act of “outrageous political censorship”.

But Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop said the state government did not want schools to be used as “political playthings”.

The WA Liberal said a state government was well within its rights to raise an objection to schools being used in a partisan political way.

The Labor fundraiser will now be held at Victoria Hall in central Fremantle at 7pm (WST).

Additional reporting: AAP