We Want a Better School Funding Deal: Queensland

by AAP, 21st Century News: http://www.21stcenturynews.com.au/school-funding-deal-qld/?inf_contact_key=9a59766d0f8064a814e1264e7442380d83b6b998a1d699c0909929dd85a76b87

Campbell Newman. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Queensland premier says he’s keen to strike a deal with the federal government on its school funding reforms - but not in their current form.

Campbell Newman says the commonwealth’s proposal to boost funding to schools by $14.5 billion over six years isn’t fair because it strips funds from universities and kindergartens.

But federal Education Minister Peter Garrett says Queensland students will lose out if the premier rejects the offer, which includes a $3.8 billion package for Queensland.

Both men spruiked their respective governments’ record on education during visits to different Brisbane primary schools on Tuesday.

Both read to young pupils from picture books, and both later accused each other of telling tales when it came to the Commonwealth’s reforms.

Mr Newman says universities will lose $2 billion and kindergartens $195 million in Commonwealth funding under the arrangement. Economically disadvantaged students and those of indigenous background could be discouraged from seeking higher education as a result, he said.

“If there’s a good deal for Queensland kids, for our schools, I’m quite happy to reach an agreement,” he told reporters. “But it’s got to be a great deal overall. It’s got to be good deal for our kids, it’s got to be a good deal for our parents, it’s got to make sure our university students are protected, and our kindies don’t get their funding cut.”

Mr Newman accused the commonwealth of playing games with the states, saying NSW had known more about the proposal when it was announced on Sunday than other states.

But Mr Garrett said the premier had been misleading when he was quoted in a media report on Tuesday saying Queensland’s indexation rate was higher than it actually was. “I think it’s time for the premier to recognise that this is not about politics,” he said.

“We’re proposing to add more resources to Queensland schools than the premier’s own plan delivers.
Why wouldn’t he work with us to deliver those resources?”

Negotiations between the commonwealth and state and territory leaders will take place on Friday at a Councils of Australian Governments meeting in Canberra.