Liberals split on funding schools

AN $18 billion-funding reform package for Australian schools its at risk of being derailed from within the Turnbull Government despite edging closer to a deal with the crossbench.

Education Minister Simon Birmingham could face a backlash from some Coalition colleagues at today’s party room meeting who were demanding full disclosure of the funding details amid fears Catholic schools are being shortchanged.

Coalition MPs were also nervous that the Government could be forced to make concessions to Greens demands over the deal.

The “Gonski 2.0” reforms – which would implement a needs-based funding systems pouring more cash into the public schools and scaling back the level funding growth or independent and Catholics schools – were expected to be voted on by the Senate this week.

Victorian Liberal MP and former minister Kevin Andrews yesterday demanded an explanation from Senator Birmingham on funding modelling that he claimed had been kept from MPs.

Department modelling revealed at the weekend showed that compared to the current situation Catholic schools would be $4.6 billion worse off over the next decade while public schools would share $4 billion more if the Government’s package passed.

But Senator Birmingham said the Catholic sector would actually be getting $3.4 billion extra.

Mr Andrews warned he would not sign off in the lower house on any deal the Government did with the Greens on school funding.

He said he was concerned the new modelling was different from what MPs were told at the time and would likely support the Catholic sector’s opposition to the reforms.

Liberal Senator Chris Back – who retires from politics at the end of the week, said he was “not yet convinced” by the legislation. He was threatening to defy his government’s policy and cross the floor in Senate.

Senator Birmingham was understood to have offered a compromise to the Greens that included getting money to schools faster than the planned 10 years, more accountability over state government funding, and an independent watchdog.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull repelled several attacks from Labor in Question Time yesterday over claims Catholic schools would lose money under the Government’s reforms.

He said the Parliament had a “golden opportunity” to end the school funding wars and urged Labor to “focus on the children” so academic standards could be improved