Gonski may get $5b more, faster

PUBLIC and private schools could get an extra $24 billion over the next decade as the Turnbull government aims to end the Gonski funding deadlock by offering more money.

The new funding package being considered adds $5 billion to the $18.6 billion funding boost originally included in the May budget.

Education Minister Simon Birmingham is considering sweetening the deal to get enough support in the upper house to pass the funding overhaul in the next four days, Fairfax Media reports.

The Greens indicated they would support the overhaul before Parliament rises for a six-week break if the Government agreed to commit more money.

Schools would also get the extra funds faster under the new deal, with the offer to outlay the funds over six years rather than 10.

It’s understood it would also include a special funding package for the Northern Territory.

An independent national watchdog, recommended in the Gonski Report, would monitor expenditure.

Senator Birmingham was to take the plan to Cabinet yesterday for a final sign-off.

He was coy on the extra $5 billion on offer yesterday but said the government would continue “pragmatic” negotiations with the Greens and crossbenchers to get the reforms through.

“We hope that these matters can be resolved this week,” he told ABC radio.

“We want to get school funding arrangements settled so that schools themselves can get on with planning for next year and beyond.”

The minister is facing opposition in his own party if the original Gonski funding package is not updated however, with WA Liberal senator Chris Back vowing to cross the floor unless Catholic schools are given “a fair deal”.

The Australian reports One Nation could give the minister the votes he needs to push through Gonski 2.0, even if Senator Back crosses the floor.

One Nation whip Brian Burston told The Australian he had informed Senator Birmingham that the party’s four senators would “support Gonski in its current form”.

“It’s a fair deal, it’s based on need, and the fact a school can apply for extra funding based on special needs I think is a good thing,” Senator Burston said.

Senator Birmingham was confident Sen Back would support the reforms.

The overhaul dismantles 27 deals and agreements and will deliver the same funding rules for all students regardless of where they live or go to school.

The package redirects more needs-based money to public schools.

Catholic schools would receive $3.4 billion extra under the original proposal.

They would lose about $4 billion over the decade because their funding would not grow as fast as it would under Labor’s existing Gonski model.