Pyne to Garrett: Where’s the beef?

Reminiscent of the famous comment by former US Vice President Walter Mondale to one of his rivals, the Shadow Minister for Education, Christopher Pyne today asked Schools Minister Peter Garrett: “Where’s the beef?”

“Based on the public comments of the Prime Minister and Schools Minister, schools are already compiling wish lists for the new funding proposed in the Gonski report that the Gillard Government hasn’t even committed to allocate,” Mr Pyne said.

 “When asked about how much it will cost, Peter Garrett wants people to believe he has no idea,” he said.

“It will certainly be an interesting COAG meeting next month when Mr Garrett asks the states to commit to these changes without being able to tell them how much it will cost.

The Gonski report calls for an additional $5 billion per year, but when indexation is included over the recommended 12 year funding period, Australian governments will need to find billions in additional funds. 

“If indexation is kept at 6 per cent, then the Gonski changes could cost the commonwealth and states $113 billion in new funding over the next 12 years,” Mr Pyne said.

“This is an enormous sum and the Minister should clearly explain where the Gillard Government is going to find their 30 per cent share,” he said.

“No state in Australia has come out and said they are able to find their 70 per cent share of this new funding – no state was even consulted on the Gonski costings.  State Governments were kept in the dark and only provided with a briefing on the day the report was released.

“Labor needs to be upfront with parents and families over whether another new tax or cuts to parts of the sector will be used to raise all or part of this funding,” Mr Pyne said.

 March 9, 2012