More details of Morrison’s $4.6 billion private school special deal revealed

Freedom of Information data obtained by the NSW Teachers Federation reveals for the first time the overfunded private schools that will receive a share of millions of dollars in additional funding this year as a component of the Morrison Government’s $4.6 billion private school funding package.

In 2019, $6.1 million in additional funding will be delivered to some of the richest and most over-funded private schools in NSW. Instead of having their share of public funding cut, schools such as Loretto Kirribilli, which is already receiving more than double its Commonwealth funding entitlement, are set to receive huge increases, in some cases of up to $900,000 in two years.

“The Morrison Government’s idea of fairness is to deliver billions of dollars for overfunded private schools that don’t need it and to cut funding to public schools. This confirms that Morrison’s schools funding model is simply a handout to the already advantaged,” NSW Teachers Federation President Maurie Mulheron said.

“Prime Minister Morrison once said there should be no special deals yet he has delivered one of the biggest ever special deals for private schools. The Federal Coalition’s 2017 school funding legislation is directly responsible for leaving public schools under-resourced,” Mr Mulheron said.

“This funding data, which has now been made public under Freedom of Information, confirms the Morrison Government has put a calculated end to needs-based funding,” Mr Mulheron said.

“Our students cannot wait. Under the current funding arrangements, a student starting Kindergarten this year will reach Year 12 having experienced their whole school life in public schools that are deliberately under-resourced. Their schools need that funding now and we will continue to prosecute our campaign until our public schools are funded to 100% of the agreed Schooling Resource Standard,” Mr Mulheron said.

/Public Release.