[Greens-Media] Greens urge budget action on Gonski

[Forsyth, Danielle (Sen P. Wright)]

Senator Penny Wright
MEDIA RELEASE
18 March 2014
Greens urge budget action on Gonski



Inequality in education will rise unless the Abbott Government commits to the full Gonski model in the next budget, says Australian Greens spokesperson for schools Senator Penny Wright.

Speaking as the AEU's Gonski road trip concluded in Canberra, Senator Wright urged the Abbott Government to commit to needs-based funding for every state and territory and deliver the full six years of funding.

"Since coming to government, the Abbot Government has done nothing to address the staggering educational equality in Australia," Senator Wright said.

"If they are not careful, the Coalition's 'no strings attached' deals will further entrench social segregation in our schools.

"The Australian Greens believe in a future where success at school depends on hard work and talent, not family wealth.

"The full Gonski model - with six years of funding and needs-based funding in every state - showed how we can get there.

"The success of the AEU's Gonski road trip and the thousands of submissions for the Senate Select Committee into school funding show this issue is not going away.

"The Australian Greens are standing with the community and saying we will not let Tony Abbott take away the best chance Australian kids have had to get a world-class education."



Media contact: Danielle Forsyth 0417 173 508