[Greens-Media] Greens seek Gonski amendments to guarantee transparency

[Forsyth, Danielle (Sen P. Wright)]

Senator Penny Wright
MEDIA RELEASE
25 June 2013

Greens seek Gonski amendments to guarantee transparency



Australian Greens will tomorrow seek to amend the Gonski legislation to enshrine accountability and anti-discrimination principles in the new school funding system.

Australian Greens spokesperson for schools Senator Penny Wright said transparency was essential to make sure the billions of taxpayer dollars would make a real difference in Australian schools.

"These amendments will ensure money goes to schools, not bureaucracies," Senator Wright said.

"We want to make sure the public can easily see how the money is being spent, so schools will make reports and that information will be published online.

"The Gonski school funding review showed public schools are drastically underfunded and suggested a needs-based funding system to target disadvantage.

"My amendments to the government's legislation would require a review of the funding model by an expert panel in 2018 and 2019.

"The Australian Greens want to make sure this historic legislation passes Parliament in the best form possible and will protect a more equitable funding system from an Abbott government.

"This legislation provides the framework for a better education for every Australian child, so it is critical there are measures to hold the government of the day to account and ensure kids come first."

Senator Wright will also move to guarantee schools receiving Commonwealth funding will comply with Federal anti-discrimination laws and not rely on religious exemptions.

"Any organisation receiving public funding to provide a public service must observe widely-held community standards and anti-discrimination principles," Senator Wright said.


Media contact: Danielle Forsyth 0417 173 508