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Greens say they could support Gonski 2.0 and attack Labor for politicising funding – politics live Greens say they could support Gonski 2.0 and attack Labor for politicising funding – politics live
(35 minutes later)
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Chris Bonnor and Bernie Shepherd are education policy experts who have both long campaigned for Gonski implementation for equity in school funding.
They have been watching the school funding train wreck for years, analysing the dollars, considering the options and this is what they think.
Before they vote, legislators might like to consider what the Centre for Policy Development analysis of the latest My School data shows: the failure to implement Gonski 1.0 has made a bad school equity and achievement situation worse. The wrong decision on Gonski 2.0 might make it irreparable.
The priority this week is to put in place arrangements which will deliver for the long term. In particular, fast-tracking the funding boost to disadvantaged schools and creating a National Schools Resourcing Body to make it all happen have to be priorities.
These two things weren’t done after Gonski 1.0 and the parlous state of current school funding and achievement is a part consequence. Let’s start with the money and where it went after Gonski reported the first time around.
Yes, we spent more money on schools, but we did not, across Australia, make sure the funding increasingly favoured those with the greatest need. And this is just on average: in money terms, large numbers of our struggling students and schools went backwards.
Why this happened is a long story which includes the patchy implementation of Gonski 1.0, but also reflects the special funding deals made to some school sectors – deals which have corrupted past attempts to fund schools on need.
The fast tracking of funding and the independent funding body are two of the conditions already extracted by the Greens.
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Education minister Simon Birmingham has just held a flash doorstop in a corridor. There was nothing much new in it, negotiations etc, think of the children etc.
I’ve always been a hopeful person and I remain hopeful.
He was asked if it will be resolved by Friday.
Hopefully.
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Argh! No decision from Greens party room meeting on Gonski 2.0
Paul Karp
The Greens party room meeting has concluded, and there’s been no final decision on the Gonski 2.0 package. The party is seeking more granular detail on government concessions – it seems like an abundance of caution rather than the leader, Richard Di Natale, and the education spokeswoman, Sarah Hanson-Young, failing to get the package through.
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Debate on the Australian Education Amendment bill, AKA Gonski 2.0, has started in the Senate.
Labor senator Jacinta Collins has accused the government and the Greens of running a sectarian campaign against herself and the Catholic education sector.
Collins says Labor settled the school funding issue for good in government.
The Greens senator Nick McKim rises to take issue. He was Tasmania’s education minister at the time and was involved in Julia Gillard’s negotiations. He says of Collins’ claim that Labor fixed the school funding wars,
I have rarely heard a piece of spin that bears so little relationship with reality.
He says while Tasmania signed on, the national Gonski 1.0 agrements were a mish-mash of seperate agreements where some sectors win over others, some states were happy and others were not.
He says Labor claims to be the true champions of the public education system but they have not asked any questions on public schools.
Not one question on public schools from Labor. The DLP is back.
Collins yells interjections, that is not true.
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NSW Greens direct Rhiannon not to support Gonski 2.0NSW Greens direct Rhiannon not to support Gonski 2.0
Paul KarpPaul Karp
The New South Wales Greens have directed the state’s federal Greens senator, Lee Rhiannon, not to support the Coalition’s Gonski 2.0 package.The New South Wales Greens have directed the state’s federal Greens senator, Lee Rhiannon, not to support the Coalition’s Gonski 2.0 package.
A spokeswoman for Tamara Smith, the NSW Greens education spokeswoman, told Guardian Australia the education committee of the NSW Greens, the relevant democratically elected reference group, has directed Rhiannon not to support it.A spokeswoman for Tamara Smith, the NSW Greens education spokeswoman, told Guardian Australia the education committee of the NSW Greens, the relevant democratically elected reference group, has directed Rhiannon not to support it.
This will be awkward because signs from federal leader, Richard Di Natale, this morning are that the Greens are moving towards supporting it. It’s possible Rhiannon could abstain on the Senate vote and comply with the direction.This will be awkward because signs from federal leader, Richard Di Natale, this morning are that the Greens are moving towards supporting it. It’s possible Rhiannon could abstain on the Senate vote and comply with the direction.
The spokeswoman said that Rhiannon and Smith will release a statement shortly.The spokeswoman said that Rhiannon and Smith will release a statement shortly.
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The action is in the Senate today.The action is in the Senate today.
The three government bills listed on the notice paper are:The three government bills listed on the notice paper are:
School fundingSchool funding
Cross-media ownership lawsCross-media ownership laws
Fair work amendment billFair work amendment bill
There are two Senate committee reports landing today at some stage relating to Centrelink and the Bell Group, otherwise known as the Adventures of George Brandis.There are two Senate committee reports landing today at some stage relating to Centrelink and the Bell Group, otherwise known as the Adventures of George Brandis.
Bell inquiry’s real name is:Bell inquiry’s real name is:
Nature and scope of any agreement reached by the commonwealth and Western Australian governments in relation to the distribution of proceeds of the liquidation of, and litigation concerning, the Bell Group of companies (the proceeds).Nature and scope of any agreement reached by the commonwealth and Western Australian governments in relation to the distribution of proceeds of the liquidation of, and litigation concerning, the Bell Group of companies (the proceeds).
We also await former Family First senator Lucy Gichuhi’s first speech at 5pm.We also await former Family First senator Lucy Gichuhi’s first speech at 5pm.
On Gonski, the trouble with the debate is that the Senate can’t really debate the amendments required until the deal is nailed down (because the amendments probably change depending on whether the the votes land with the Greens or the crossbenchers).On Gonski, the trouble with the debate is that the Senate can’t really debate the amendments required until the deal is nailed down (because the amendments probably change depending on whether the the votes land with the Greens or the crossbenchers).
There could be a lot of filibustering today to allow negotiations to continue.There could be a lot of filibustering today to allow negotiations to continue.
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Matt Hatter on Gonski 2.0 negotiations. That just might be Simon Birmingham on top.Matt Hatter on Gonski 2.0 negotiations. That just might be Simon Birmingham on top.
@gabriellechan 🎓Hello🎓 "It is true the govt has gone back to the drawing board & they have shifted a long way.." That's quite the effort. pic.twitter.com/F1QwzlGmfc@gabriellechan 🎓Hello🎓 "It is true the govt has gone back to the drawing board & they have shifted a long way.." That's quite the effort. pic.twitter.com/F1QwzlGmfc
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Former NSW education minister Adrian Piccoli, a big supporter of Labor’s Gonski 1.0 to the detriment of his own career in the Coalition, has tweeted:Former NSW education minister Adrian Piccoli, a big supporter of Labor’s Gonski 1.0 to the detriment of his own career in the Coalition, has tweeted:
If Greens and AEU stop Gonski2.0 they can never again complain about overfunded private schools. Take the concessions and pass the BillIf Greens and AEU stop Gonski2.0 they can never again complain about overfunded private schools. Take the concessions and pass the Bill
Australian Education Union:Australian Education Union:
Who got to you?Who got to you?
It's not perfect and it's not enough money but it does improve the model. It gets rid of the special deals you have always complained about https://t.co/9DCJ5alw8HIt's not perfect and it's not enough money but it does improve the model. It gets rid of the special deals you have always complained about https://t.co/9DCJ5alw8H
The bill enshrines 80% funding of private schools and only 20% of public schools. We will certainly be complaining about this.The bill enshrines 80% funding of private schools and only 20% of public schools. We will certainly be complaining about this.
Cth currently funds only 17% of public school SRS so 20% is better. And a future gov can increase that further. Take the win!! https://t.co/x0G0irYMW2Cth currently funds only 17% of public school SRS so 20% is better. And a future gov can increase that further. Take the win!! https://t.co/x0G0irYMW2
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Freud and Frydenberg: the political cost of powerFreud and Frydenberg: the political cost of power
In preparation for The Finkel today, there is a lot of talk now about the reverse auction.In preparation for The Finkel today, there is a lot of talk now about the reverse auction.
(I can only ever think of Sun editor Kelvin MacKenzie’s reverse ferret – where newspaper reverses its editorial campaign in the opposite direction.)(I can only ever think of Sun editor Kelvin MacKenzie’s reverse ferret – where newspaper reverses its editorial campaign in the opposite direction.)
The energy and environment minister, Josh Frydenberg, told Sky’s Kieran Gilbert how a reverse auction system for dispatchable power would work. (Dispatchable power being the minimum continuous power required to run the system.)The energy and environment minister, Josh Frydenberg, told Sky’s Kieran Gilbert how a reverse auction system for dispatchable power would work. (Dispatchable power being the minimum continuous power required to run the system.)
They bid in to say we can offer this amount over this period at this time at such political cost – ah – at such ah economic cost. Then the market regulator, or whoever is running that auction would make a decision as to what would provide that firm power.They bid in to say we can offer this amount over this period at this time at such political cost – ah – at such ah economic cost. Then the market regulator, or whoever is running that auction would make a decision as to what would provide that firm power.
It is, of course, the political problem of the decade, so who would not make the odd Freudian slip?It is, of course, the political problem of the decade, so who would not make the odd Freudian slip?
Kieran kept a very straight face.Kieran kept a very straight face.
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George: I get by with a little help from my friends.George: I get by with a little help from my friends.
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Baby it’s cold outside.Baby it’s cold outside.
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Good morning blogan people,Good morning blogan people,
Zero degrees at Canberra airport, pea soup fog, farnarkling clearing later in the day. Today is Gonski 2.0 day. Today we expect a vote in the Senate. More of that in a moment.Zero degrees at Canberra airport, pea soup fog, farnarkling clearing later in the day. Today is Gonski 2.0 day. Today we expect a vote in the Senate. More of that in a moment.
First let me catch you up on the overnight happenings.First let me catch you up on the overnight happenings.
The LNP MP George Christensen crossed the floor on penalty rates, so you know he will cross the floor.The LNP MP George Christensen crossed the floor on penalty rates, so you know he will cross the floor.
George Christensen votes with Labor and the Indipendents on amendments to fair work act @GuardianAus @murpharoo pic.twitter.com/3INFnQmYsAGeorge Christensen votes with Labor and the Indipendents on amendments to fair work act @GuardianAus @murpharoo pic.twitter.com/3INFnQmYsA
The vote failed, as Murphy reported:The vote failed, as Murphy reported:
So Christensen could make his point without anything much changing.So Christensen could make his point without anything much changing.
The chief scientist, Alan Finkel, is speaking at the National Press Club today. I guess when it was booked, his key recommendation of a clean energy target was a thing. But it is looking less like a thing with every day that passes. It seems like coal is still a thing in the Coalition party room. The lot of the chief scientist.The chief scientist, Alan Finkel, is speaking at the National Press Club today. I guess when it was booked, his key recommendation of a clean energy target was a thing. But it is looking less like a thing with every day that passes. It seems like coal is still a thing in the Coalition party room. The lot of the chief scientist.
Yesterday Turnbull was counselling Murph not to be hasty.Yesterday Turnbull was counselling Murph not to be hasty.
But he denied his new brief for Aemo was a clear signal the government had either dumped, or was paving the way to dump Finkel’s clean energy target.But he denied his new brief for Aemo was a clear signal the government had either dumped, or was paving the way to dump Finkel’s clean energy target.
“I wouldn’t analyse it in that way if I was you,” the prime minister said.“I wouldn’t analyse it in that way if I was you,” the prime minister said.
Paul Karp reports the energy and environment minister, Josh Frydenberg, has been speaking on ABC AM about new measures to lower gas prices such as forcing gas companies to supply the domestic market and unilaterally abolishing the limited merits review accused of raising prices.Paul Karp reports the energy and environment minister, Josh Frydenberg, has been speaking on ABC AM about new measures to lower gas prices such as forcing gas companies to supply the domestic market and unilaterally abolishing the limited merits review accused of raising prices.
Asked if the reason the government is leaving open the possibility of financing new coal power plants is to appease conservative MPs, Frydenberg replied:Asked if the reason the government is leaving open the possibility of financing new coal power plants is to appease conservative MPs, Frydenberg replied:
No it’s not, it’s designed to ensure Australians have reliable affordable power, in particular having dispatchable baseload power ... We will take an all-of-the-above approach: now, it could be coal, it could be gas, it could be renewables with storage, or it could be a combination of both [that the government supports]. But we are determined to ensure in this brave new world we don’t leave it to chance, we can’t afford to go forward without dispatchable baseload power.No it’s not, it’s designed to ensure Australians have reliable affordable power, in particular having dispatchable baseload power ... We will take an all-of-the-above approach: now, it could be coal, it could be gas, it could be renewables with storage, or it could be a combination of both [that the government supports]. But we are determined to ensure in this brave new world we don’t leave it to chance, we can’t afford to go forward without dispatchable baseload power.
Now to Gonski 2.0. The school funding bill for the 2018 school year will hit the Senate today, with no definitive signal yet from either the Greens or the crossbenchers on whether they will support. Those two paths are the only way to get the bill passed, after Labor ruled out needs-based funding on the basis that the dollar amount was not as high as they would like.Now to Gonski 2.0. The school funding bill for the 2018 school year will hit the Senate today, with no definitive signal yet from either the Greens or the crossbenchers on whether they will support. Those two paths are the only way to get the bill passed, after Labor ruled out needs-based funding on the basis that the dollar amount was not as high as they would like.
Di Natale has just spoken to Fran Kelly about the phone hook up with the national council. Their message:Di Natale has just spoken to Fran Kelly about the phone hook up with the national council. Their message:
They want us to put kids before politics.They want us to put kids before politics.
The Greens want a fast-tracking of funding, higher funding, an independent funding body, states forced to keep their funding in schools and the NT package.The Greens want a fast-tracking of funding, higher funding, an independent funding body, states forced to keep their funding in schools and the NT package.
It is true the government has gone back to the drawing board and they have shifted a long way, a long way ...It is true the government has gone back to the drawing board and they have shifted a long way, a long way ...
If we get the architecture right and then we are satisfied that we’ve got some serious funding going into the model, then of course we would be prepared to support it. The government still has some way to go on that.If we get the architecture right and then we are satisfied that we’ve got some serious funding going into the model, then of course we would be prepared to support it. The government still has some way to go on that.
Di Natale put the prospect, commonly used, that if the funding architecture for a needs-based consistent funding formula is in place, Labor can ramp up the funding.Di Natale put the prospect, commonly used, that if the funding architecture for a needs-based consistent funding formula is in place, Labor can ramp up the funding.
If we get the architecture right, the good news is that if Labor is elected we can work together to put more money into the system and know that it goes to the neediest public school.If we get the architecture right, the good news is that if Labor is elected we can work together to put more money into the system and know that it goes to the neediest public school.
Di Natale said he was working very closely with the Australian Education Union, which represents 170,000 teachers and educators. He says he was not aware of reports that AEU reps were threatening to campaign against South Australian Greens if they help pass Gonski 2.0.Di Natale said he was working very closely with the Australian Education Union, which represents 170,000 teachers and educators. He says he was not aware of reports that AEU reps were threatening to campaign against South Australian Greens if they help pass Gonski 2.0.
We are satisfied that if we address those issues ... that it would be very difficult for anyone who has the best interests of children in this debate to do anything other than support a model that makes sure kids in our neediest public schools get the support they deserve.We are satisfied that if we address those issues ... that it would be very difficult for anyone who has the best interests of children in this debate to do anything other than support a model that makes sure kids in our neediest public schools get the support they deserve.
He says he was “staggered” Labor would take decision not to support a bill that increased funding and improved the model.He says he was “staggered” Labor would take decision not to support a bill that increased funding and improved the model.
I’m staggered that the Labor party have decided that they would rather campaign on education, make it a political issue, rather than take the opportunity to address the flawed funding model they put in place. What the education union will do is ultimately a question for them.I’m staggered that the Labor party have decided that they would rather campaign on education, make it a political issue, rather than take the opportunity to address the flawed funding model they put in place. What the education union will do is ultimately a question for them.
Di Natale said he would not support any delays for the Catholic system for a review – something favoured by WA Liberal Chris Back – as the problem with Labor model is it was not sector blind. It had carve outs for the Catholic system, he said.Di Natale said he would not support any delays for the Catholic system for a review – something favoured by WA Liberal Chris Back – as the problem with Labor model is it was not sector blind. It had carve outs for the Catholic system, he said.
Apologies for the War and Peace post, talk to me on the thread, in the Twits @gabriellechan or Facebook.Apologies for the War and Peace post, talk to me on the thread, in the Twits @gabriellechan or Facebook.
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