$4.6b schools deal

Long-running war over Gonski 2.0 funding model finally ends

PRIME Minister Scott Morrison has struck a multibilliondollar peace deal with Catholic and independent schools.

The $4.6 billion package over a decade brings to an end a longrunning war over the Gonski 2.0 school funding model.

“For students, this will mean the opportunity to get the best results from school. For parents, it will mean that choice remains affordable,” Mr Morrison said yesterday. “For teachers, it will mean certainty of funding so they can get on with the job.”

The government will chip in $3.2 billion over 10 years from 2020 to fund changes to the way parents’ wealth is measured, based on income tax data.

In 2019 independent and Catholic schools will receive $170.8 million over the calendar year. A $1.2 billion Choice and Affordability Fund over 10 years will help keep fees affordable and maintain choice.

The deal brings to a head months of discussions with the National Catholic Education Commission and Independent Schools Council of Australia.

Mr Morrison had a clear message to any parents of state school students frustrated with the costly side deal struck with private institutions.

“I don’t think parents will be cynical like that. They will know that we’re funding public schools at record levels,” he said.

“All parents want to have choices about how they educate their children, and where there are issues that need to be addressed, we’ll address them.”

Mr Morrison said where the money was coming from would be set out in the mid- year budget review due in December.

I DON’T THINK PARENTS WILL BE CYNICAL LIKE THAT. THEY WILL KNOW THAT WE’RE FUNDING PUBLIC SCHOOLS AT RECORD LEVELS. PM SCOTT MORRISON