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Catholics follow independents to sign on Better Schools dotted line Catholics follow independents to sign on Better Schools dotted line
(2 months later)
The Catholic education sector has backed the federal government's plan to pump an extra $14bn into the national schools system over six years.The Catholic education sector has backed the federal government's plan to pump an extra $14bn into the national schools system over six years.
The prime minister, Kevin Rudd, said Catholic schools across the country would get an extra $1.6bn.The prime minister, Kevin Rudd, said Catholic schools across the country would get an extra $1.6bn.
“That is a large additional shot in the arm,” he told reporters in Melbourne on Tuesday.“That is a large additional shot in the arm,” he told reporters in Melbourne on Tuesday.
Catholic educators now join the independent schools sector in endorsing the Labor government's funding offer, based on a new model that comes into effect in the 2014 school year.Catholic educators now join the independent schools sector in endorsing the Labor government's funding offer, based on a new model that comes into effect in the 2014 school year.
The states and territories to sign up so far include NSW, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT.The states and territories to sign up so far include NSW, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT.
Negotiations are continuing with Victoria, Queensland and the Northern Territory.Negotiations are continuing with Victoria, Queensland and the Northern Territory.
“Today, because of the work that's been done, we now have almost two-thirds of the kids in Australia benefiting under the Better Schools plan, which will deliver extra funding and extra resources … in most of the states of Australia,” Rudd said.“Today, because of the work that's been done, we now have almost two-thirds of the kids in Australia benefiting under the Better Schools plan, which will deliver extra funding and extra resources … in most of the states of Australia,” Rudd said.
“We've still some (states) who we've got to get across the line.”“We've still some (states) who we've got to get across the line.”
The education minister, Bill Shorten, said the announcement was “unreservedly good news” for students in Catholic schools and their parents.The education minister, Bill Shorten, said the announcement was “unreservedly good news” for students in Catholic schools and their parents.
The new funding model will now cover about 2.5m of Australia's 3.5m school students.The new funding model will now cover about 2.5m of Australia's 3.5m school students.
“Children in state government (schools) who have not signed up are not getting in their schools the same resources which are available in New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, (and for) children who go to independent schools and children who go to Catholic schools,” Shorten said.“Children in state government (schools) who have not signed up are not getting in their schools the same resources which are available in New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, (and for) children who go to independent schools and children who go to Catholic schools,” Shorten said.
It was time all jurisdictions took advantage of the federal government's commitment to provide extra funding, he said.It was time all jurisdictions took advantage of the federal government's commitment to provide extra funding, he said.
Rudd said he hoped the Victorian premier, Dr Denis Napthine, would see the benefit in signing onto the Better Schools program and accept the extra $4bn in federal funding on offer.Rudd said he hoped the Victorian premier, Dr Denis Napthine, would see the benefit in signing onto the Better Schools program and accept the extra $4bn in federal funding on offer.
He will meet Napthine later on Tuesday to stress that it's in Victoria's interest to sign up.He will meet Napthine later on Tuesday to stress that it's in Victoria's interest to sign up.
“Our call is pretty basic: come on board, Premier, this is a great plan for Australia,” Rudd said.“Our call is pretty basic: come on board, Premier, this is a great plan for Australia,” Rudd said.
He also appealed to the other Liberal premiers of Western Australia and Queensland to join up.He also appealed to the other Liberal premiers of Western Australia and Queensland to join up.
Shorten said recent discussions with Victoria had been constructive and he was optimistic they would reach a “mutually agreeable outcome”.Shorten said recent discussions with Victoria had been constructive and he was optimistic they would reach a “mutually agreeable outcome”.
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