RESOURCES DELAYED ARE RESOURCES DENIED: AEU CALLS ON FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR FULL FUNDING

The Australian Education Union acknowledges the significant $768 million funding deal struck between the Albanese Government and the Northern Territory.

However, the AEU is calling on the Federal Government to step up for the other states and fulfil their promise to provide full funding to public schools by increasing their contribution from 22.5% to 25%, rather than pressuring states to sign a deal which falls short.

AEU Federal President Correna Haythorpe said she is deeply concerned about the government’s approach to school funding citing the deal as an ultimatum.

“The critical funding and support needed for Australian public school staff and students should not be compromised amidst a political spat between governments which has the potential to deny long awaited promised funding for public schools,” said Ms Haythorpe.

“With only 1.3% of public schools funded at the minimum benchmark, the Schooling Resource Standard, the stark reality is that public schools have waited more than a decade for the vital resources that they need to deliver high quality education for every child.

“Students on the cusp of finishing Year 12 are amongst the first cohort of students who were promised this funding but have not had the full benefits they were entitled to.

“In the lead up to the last federal election, Prime Minister Albanese promised to ensure that every public school was fully funded. This current deal on the table, of an additional 2.5% or nothing, is inadequate and does not deliver on their promise.

“This has the potential to entrench inequality in a way that we have not seen since the Coalition Government changed the Australian Education Act in 2017. The Government cannot expect to implement a reform agenda without resolving the public school funding negotiations first.

“Delivery of full funding must be a joint commitment from both the Commonwealth and the State and Territory governments. The fact that five states and one territory are refusing to sign the current deal is a clear sign that the Albanese Government’s offer is not good enough.”

Time is quickly running out on this issue with school principals, teachers, education support staff and parents calling on all governments to work together to deliver full funding for public schools now.

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT:

Meriel Killeen – 0466 393 485