“Transition” to school funding cuts
14 Aug 2012
Media release Both public and private schools would be worse off under Gonski according to modelling conducted by the Victorian State Government.
“This modelling is supported by the Victorian Catholic Schools who have also confirmed potential losses across their sector,” said the Shadow Minister for Education Christopher Pyne.
“Schools Minister Peter Garrett is now using the word ‘transition’ to describe how funding will gradually be reduced over time,” he said.
“We know this because at no point has Mr Garrett said indexation of school funding will be maintained at current levels.
“Therefore the ‘transition’ moment will occur when current funding levels decline in real terms due to reduced indexation.
“That is when school fees will go up, increasing cost of living pressure on parents. The Government’s weasel words have been exposed.
“In Victoria alone, if Labor’s changes were adopted even with all of the money on the table it would see Catholic school fees rise between $800-$6000 with primary schools being the hardest hit.
“Mr Garrett could easily reassure parents today by confirming indexation will continue at current levels.
“Only the Coalition is committed to the same level of funding plus indexation offering every school certainty into the future” Mr Pyne said.
August 14, 2012