The Andrews Labor Government has welcomed the release of the final report of an independent review into Victoria’s education funding, which finds that the Commonwealth Government should honour its commitment to fully fund the Gonski Agreement.
The review, led by former Premier the Hon Steve Bracks AC, was commissioned by the Labor Government to look at how to best invest in education and break the cycle between a child’s social and economic background and their outcomes at school.
The review – the first one of its type in more than a decade – contains more than 70 recommendations aimed at improving outcomes for Victorian students.
It provides further evidence that needs-based funding is critical to ensuring young Victorians – particularly our most vulnerable – get the best possible education.
It finds that if the Commonwealth Government doesn’t honour the final two years of the Gonski Agreement, Victoria’s Government schools will be $1.1 billion worse off.
It also finds that if the Commonwealth walks away from Gonski it will disproportionately impact Victorian Government schools and some of our most vulnerable students, leaving the Victorian Government with no choice but to entirely rethink how it delivers school funding.
In making Victoria the Education State, this Government is playing its part to give all students the best chance to succeed.
Education State funding already allocated to improve student outcomes include:
- Almost $4 billion in extra funds – the single biggest injection of education funding in the state’s history
- $747 million to improve outcomes for kids who need extra help at school, breaking the cycle of disadvantage;
The Government thanks Mr Bracks, the review team and the many stakeholders involved for their role in delivering a vision for a funding system that gives students, parents, teachers and principals new hope for the future.
The Government will carefully consider the Review’s findings and release its response later in the year.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino
“We have a strong and vibrant education system, with a lot to be proud of. But we must do more to help kids learn, increase parents’ confidence in our school system, and provide the resources schools need."
"We owe it to all Victorian students to break the cycle of disadvantage. In making Victoria the Education State, we want the success that’s currently experienced by many to become guaranteed for all."
“I call on the Commonwealth to honour its commitment to the final two years of the Gonski agreement and ensure that our most vulnerable students are treated fairly.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020