Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I move requests (1) to (15) on sheet GX160 together:

(1) Schedule 1, item 1, page 3 (line 9), after "year", insert "for the school".

(2) Schedule 1, page 3 (after line 10), after item 1, insert:

1A Section 6

Insert:

6 -year transitioning school means a transitioning school whose starting Commonwealth share is less than its final Commonwealth share.

(3) Schedule 1, page 3 (after line 10), before item 2, insert:

1B Section 6

Insert:

final Commonwealth share has the meaning given by subsection 35B(6).

(4) Schedule 1, page 3 (after line 23), after item 5, insert:

5A Section 6

Insert:

starting Commonwealth share has the meaning given by subsection 35B(2).

(5) Schedule 1, item 6, page 4 (line 4), omit the definition of transition year, substitute:

transition year means:

(a) for a school other than a 6-year transitioning school—a year from 2018 to 2027 (inclusive); or

(b) for a 6-year transitioning school—a year from 2018 to 2023 (inclusive).

(6) Schedule 1, item 16, page 6 (line 24), after "year", insert "for the school".

(7) Schedule 1, item 16, page 8 (line 9), after "transition rate", insert "for a school other than a 6-year transitioning school".

(8) Schedule 1, item 16, page 8 (after line 12), after subsection 35B(7), insert:

(7A) Unless the regulations otherwise provide, the transition rate for a 6-year transitioning school:

(a) for the transition year 2018 is 16.67%; and

(b) for each transition year from 2019 to 2022 (inclusive) is the transition rate for the previous year increased by 16.67 percentage points; and

(c) for the transition year 2023 is 100%.

(9) Schedule 1, item 16, page 8 (line 13), after "transition year", insert "for a school".

(10) Schedule 1, item 16, page 8 (line 16), after "subsection (7)", insert "or (7A)".

(11) Schedule 1, item 40, page 13 (line 1), omit "transition year", substitute "year from 2018 to 2027 (inclusive)".

(12) Schedule 1, item 47, page 17 (line 21), omit "10 transition", substitute "6 to 10".

(13) Schedule 1, item 47, page 17 (line 29), omit "transition", substitute "6 to 10".

(14) Schedule 1, item 71, page 22 (line 6), omit "10 transition", substitute "6 to 10".

(15) Schedule 1, item 82, page 24 (line 26), omit "transition years", substitute "the years 2018 to 2027".

These measures are very important, and I acknowledge the role of many crossbenchers, including—I would note on the record—the work of the Greens as well, in relation to these requests to bring forward the transition period for schools across both government and non-government systems to reach the agreed level of the schooling resource standard.

As senators are well aware, after the lengthy debates that have been had, the government proposed that, in applying consistency across Australian schools, we would deliver 20 per cent of the schooling resource standard to government schools across every state and territory—the schooling resource standard being the needs based model that the Gonski report helped to develop, which ensures different loadings and different support for students based on different levels of disadvantage. Whilst the deals that had been done previously provided for a very different level of support from the federal government across each different state and territory, the Turnbull government brought down a proposition to say that we wanted to see every state and territory reach 20 per cent of that schooling resource standard by 2027 over a steady 10-year period, taking the state that got the worst deal, Western Australia, and bringing it up to be on level-pegging terms with the jurisdictions who got the best deal, so that everyone was treated equally.

We similarly proposed, reflective of the historic nature of schools funding, with the federal government providing the lion's share of funding to non-government schools and the states providing the lion's share of funding to government schools, to bring the non-government schooling sector up to 80 per cent of the schooling resource standard. That ensures, with just one or two exceptions, that every schooling system across the country sees growth over that time. It does, though, see around 350 separate stand-alone independent schools transition down to 80 per cent of the schooling resource standard and maintenance that we have discussed in relation to circumstances for the Northern Territory.

The amendments I have just moved, which are now before the chamber, will accelerate the transition period that the government has proposed for all of those schools and systems who are below the 20 per cent and 80 per cent shares. It will not have any impact on those systems or independent authorities who are above the 20 per cent or 80 per cent shares. It will ensure, though, that those who are below that will transition to that common share of 20 per cent and 80 per cent over the next six years. By 2023, we will have every government school system in the country being treated equally, fairly, by the Commonwealth government according to the Gonski formula. By 2023, we will see all of those underfunded, non-government schools and systems treated equally and fairly and transition to a common formula of the Gonski funding. This is really important because it delivers certainty, fairness and equal treatment along the lines of a needs based funding model.

The result of this is that we will see growth in terms of funding additional to that which had a ready been put in the budget papers—growth of around $1.5 billion over the budget period and around $4.9 billion over the next 10 years. That is additional funding to help transition all of those schools, all of those systems, to the common 20 per cent and 80 per cent shares faster. It has benefits across all schooling systems in Australia—government schooling systems and non-government schooling systems, including the Catholic system, other systems and stand-alone authorities. It delivers additional funding faster. But there is an important caveat to that. In the long term, because it is helping all schools to reach that cap faster, once those schools reach their 20 or 80 per cent share they will then move ahead based on the indexation within the legislation. In the long term it does not have any structural impact on the budget from 2027 and beyond but it does ensure that schools reach those targets much, much sooner.

I commend these amendments to the Senate. They are a significant change and they absolutely help in the mission the Turnbull government brought forward with this legislation to ensure consistency of application of the needs based model across the country. They help to do that much faster than was the case previously. They have been advocated by many different parties and stakeholders during the Senate inquiry in particular, during much of the public debate and during consultations with the crossbench. I acknowledge and pay tribute to the various crossbench parties who have helped with this. Senator Lambie has just spoken passionately about the fact that it is not just about the money but how we make sure the funding is used as appropriately and effectively as possible, especially for kids in schools where there are enormous challenges and difficult circumstances to overcome. Senator Xenophon and his team have worked hard to bring forward the transition arrangements. Senator Hinch and Senator Gichuhi's commitment to make sure there is equitable treatment and it is achieved as soon as possible has been very strong. Senator Hanson and her team have made sure that, through this, we do not lose sight of a focus on ensuring that quality efforts around teaching and teaching reforms are absolutely pursued, as states and territories have previously agreed to do.

As I said at the outset, I acknowledge also Senator Hanson-Young and Senator Di Natale's advocacy for these types of amendments too, notwithstanding the positions they have taken on the overall bill. These are amendments that absolutely enhance the Turnbull government's reforms. They build upon them. They make them stronger. They will deliver greater support, and faster, to the schools who need it most. I commend the amendments to the chamber.