Modelling confirms Hit List is back

More damning revelations have emerged about Labor’s new school funding system with reports today the modelling shows that even with the additional funding needed to implement it, non-government schools will lose money within four years.

“The Coalition has said from day one that without a commitment to the same level of funding plus indexation every non-government school is back on Labor’s Private School Hit List,” according to Christopher Pyne, Shadow Minister for Education.

“Neither the Federal Government nor the states have committed to find the additional $5 billion a year needed to fund Labor’s school funding changes,” Mr Pyne said.

“This new Government modelling shown to the Association of Independent Schools in New South Wales suggests that even with the new funding, if indexation is not maintained at current levels, non-government schools will still go backwards,” he said.

“Today, the Catholic Education Commission of NSW has also flagged concern about indexation.

“A decrease in funding for non-government schools will result in higher school fees and increased cost of living pressure for the millions of parents who often scrimp and save to send their child to a non-government school.

“Such is the concern amongst parts of the non-government sector that they are supporting the Coalition’s call to continue with the current SES model beyond 2014, giving schools the funding certainty they need.

“Schools Minister, Mr Garrett could easily reassure schools by confirming today indexation will continue at current levels, but his weasel words say it all.

“The Government must move to end the uncertainty around school funding arrangements as a matter of urgency.

“Only the Coalition is committed to the same level of funding plus indexation. Labor is planning to cut non-government school funding by stealth,” Mr Pyne said.

May 22, 2011