Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I move

That the House of Representatives be requested to make the following amendments:

(1) Schedule 1 , item 6 , page 4 (line 4) , omit "' 2027 "' , substitute "' 2023 "' .

(3) Schedule 1 , item 16 , page 8 (lines 9 to 12) , omit subsection 35B ( 7 ), substitute:

(7) Unless the regulations otherwise provide, the transition rate for a transition year is the rate set out in the following table for the year.

(5) Schedule 1 , item 47 , page 17 (line 21) , omit "' 10 transition years "' , substitute "' 6 transition years "' .

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

This tranche of amendments is directly in relation to the overfunded schools currently in the system. We know that the previous arrangements put in place by the Gillard government following the first Gonski review locked in growth rates for schools regardless of whether they were above the resource standard. We know that the result of that has been that there are at least 24 well-overfunded schools that do not deserve continued support in terms of growth rates from the public purse. But we also know that there are a number of schools that will get to a much higher level very soon. The government's original proposal before us allows those schools to be drawn down over a 10-year period. If we are serious about putting equity into the system and ensuring that we redirect our quantum of money to those that need it most—if we care about needs based funding—we will ensure that overfunded schools have their funding brought to the appropriate level, down at the same rate as underfunded schools go up. It is only fair that, as you put more money into schools going up towards the resource standard, those that are well above come down at the same rate. It is about using the public money in the most appropriate and efficient way. If we care about our poorest schools, this is what we will do.

We have heard over and over again that there is not enough money on the table to fund schools at the levels that we want. Well, here is a way of saving some money. Here is a way of making sure that the money that is needed will go to the schools that need it first and foremost. I implore the government and the crossbenchers to consider this. It is an important demonstration that we are absolutely fair dinkum about needs based funding.