Coalition’s school funding retreat: Teachers sound alarm

Image from YouTube (Video uploaded by Sky News Australia)

NSW Teachers Federation Media Release

The NSW Teachers Federation has expressed grave concern after Shadow Finance Minister Jane Hume refused to commit to maintaining the historic schools funding agreement recently reached between the Albanese and Minns Governments.

In a concerning interview, Ms. Hume repeatedly avoided committing to the $4.8 billion public school funding agreement, raising serious questions about the Coalition’s commitment to public education funding ahead of the upcoming federal election.

When directly asked whether the Coalition would maintain the landmark agreement, Ms. Hume stated: “that policy is not one that I’ve seen, it’s not one that we’ve considered and potentially it will be one that will be discussed by the coalition… I don’t want to pre-empt that.”

NSW Teachers Federation President Henry Rajendra said the Shadow Minister’s comments were deeply troubling and reinforced longstanding concerns about the Coalition’s approach to public education.

“Just days after celebrating a breakthrough moment for NSW public schools, we’re already seeing warning signs that this historic achievement could be under threat,” Rajendra said.

“This landmark agreement is the culmination of more than a decade of committed campaigning. It addresses the systemic underfunding of public schools and finally delivers the full Gonski model that teachers, parents, and students have fought tirelessly to achieve.”

The funding agreement increases the Federal Government’s contribution to the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) from 20 to 25 percent, bringing public schools to 100 percent of the SRS when combined with the state contribution. Crucially, it also ends accounting tricks introduced under previous governments.

Despite multiple opportunities to affirm support for this critical funding, Ms. Hume instead questioned where the funding was coming from and emphasized that the Coalition would go to the election with “a better bottom line.”

“Our worst fears are being confirmed,” Rajendra said. “When asked directly if public school funding was at risk under a Dutton government, Ms. Hume’s assurance rang hollow as she immediately pivoted to questioning the policy’s details and emphasizing fiscal restraint. This mirrors the Coalition’s concerning pattern of undermining public education.”

The NSW Teachers Federation notes that Ms. Hume’s comments align with the Coalition’s historical approach to education funding. Under the Abbott government, $30 billion in promised education funding was cut despite pre-election commitments that there would be “no cuts to education” and promises to match “dollar for dollar” Labor’s commitments. The Turnbull government subsequently ripped up signed Gonski agreements with five state governments and changed the law to ensure the Commonwealth funded 80% of the SRS for private schools but just 20% for public schools. The Morrison government went further with bilateral agreements that entrenched inequality and saw 98% of private schools funded at the SRS or above while public schools languished.

“The Coalition’s track record speaks for itself. They have consistently prioritised funding for private schools over public education, often disguised as a matter of ‘choice,’ leaving public schools to bear the brunt of cuts and underinvestment. This has directly contributed to teacher burnout, staffing shortages, and increased workloads,” Rajendra said.

“We will not stand by and allow this historic funding agreement to be undermined. Our members will campaign vigorously across NSW electorates to defend this landmark achievement and ensure every public school student receives the resources they need to thrive.”

The Federation calls on Peter Dutton and the Coalition to provide an unequivocal commitment to honour the full public school funding agreement if elected.

“Peter Dutton has spent three years attacking and undermining teachers. Now his Shadow Finance Minister is refusing to commit to the funding our students need,” Rajendra added. “The upcoming federal election presents a clear choice for the future of education in this country.”

 

Dear reader, we need your support

Independent sites such as The AIMN provide a platform for public interest journalists. From its humble beginning in January 2013, The AIMN has grown into one of the most trusted and popular independent media organisations.

One of the reasons we have succeeded has been due to the support we receive from our readers through their financial contributions.

With increasing costs to maintain The AIMN, we need this continued support.

Your donation – large or small – to help with the running costs of this site will be greatly appreciated.

You can donate through PayPal or credit card via the button below, or donate via bank transfer: BSB: 062500; A/c no: 10495969

Donate Button

 

8 Comments

  1. This is simply an example – a poxy one at that – of their core belief that the private sector can do it better than the public service. So, “we’ll make the public suffer until they agree.”

    We all know how that has worked out with various contracts the LNP have written for their mates both state and federally

  2. THe Libs would be ecstatic if the plebs only got enough education to work and handle simple jobs. Only the pedestal dwellers should recieve higher education, the lower classes would be unable to rule themselves and would need the wise guidance of their betters.

    Big benefaction backsheesh backflip from a certain party Libs after certain lobby groups opened their wallets?

    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/05/chalmers-accuses-coalition-of-horrendous-contradiction-as-taylor-appears-to-backflip-on-insurance-crackdown

  3. How surprising is that? Not at all really…. elitism rules, the poor become a ready (cheap) labour market.

  4. When directly asked whether the Coalition would maintain the landmark agreement, Ms. Hume stated: “that policy is not one that I’ve seen, it’s not one that we’ve considered and potentially it will be one that will be discussed by the coalition… I don’t want to pre-empt that.”
    Of course she know all about the new policy, otherwise she would not be doing her job. But, in Lieberal speak, all that deflecting means they will dump it, likely because there is no benefit for any rich people.

  5. Taken straight out of Trump’s vision for lower standards of public education in America – In fact why not wipe it out altogether and spend it on private education and tax relief for the elite.

    ‘BREAKING USA yesterday 7 March 2025]: US Congressman Dan Goldman exposes the real reasoning behind Donald Trump’s plan to dismantle the Department of Education — and throws a major wrench in his scheme’.

    ‘This is not about efficiency or states rights, this is about privatizing education so that billionaires can loot even more wealth from the middle class and the poor. It paves the way for more tax cuts for the super rich’.

    ‘Removing the Department of Education helps Republicans cultivate a less educated, more ignorant populace — who will in turn be more likely to vote for Republicans. MAGA politicians know that an educated populace is far more likely to see through their lies and reject their destructive policies’.

    https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1111498191081754&set=a.201905705374345

    Do you get the feeling this agenda is being coordinated across national boundaries?

  6. re. the American edjumacation sistem and its dumbin’ down, the Donald … that very stable genius, has appointed a wrestling entrepreneur as the Secretary of Edjumacation.

    Secretary McMahon’s speech last week sounds good, so far; the proof of the pudding, as always, will be in the eating. One would assume that with the stable genius at the helm, she will have her work well & truly cut out.

  7. Jane Hume .. Ha ha. Another of the LNP’s duckers and divers. Not one skerrick of gravitas or intelligence. Just blather and “but, I know nothing, yet.”

  8. Clakka, you’re a hard man to pin down.

    re. your wish for a copy of Taking the Risk Out of Democracy, check out this link earlier provided.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*