Funding blow

Leaked school funding modelling revealed more than 70 schools in the Maranoa electorate would lose more than $13 million under the proposed Gonski review changes, Federal Member for Maranoa Bruce Scott said.
“All the Gonski review has done is take a red marker and cut money from schools in small country towns,” Mr Scott said.
“More than 70 schools are on the hit-list from my electorate of Maranoa.
“About 12 schools from the Southern Downs area are listed. Schools from Warwick and Stanthorpe are listed as well as smaller schools from Freestone, Inglewood, Leyburn, Maryvale, Tannymorel and Kara.
“It doesn’t matter how small the school, schools in the Southern Downs play an imperative role within the community.
“We have fantastic teachers in the region and the Gonski modelling must be released immediately to give parents and schools the certainty they need.”
Mr Scott said the proposed Gonski reforms could threaten the livelihood of our country schools.
“The modelling leaked recently blew apart the Government’s claim that no school will lose a dollar in funding,” Mr Scott said. “The Government has been sitting on the Gonski review since December last year and we’re still waiting to see a formal and detailed response.
“One third of all schools across Australia are on the hit-list, which will radically redesign education funding for 9500 Australian schools.
“Parents will pay more, or class sizes will rise, as funding is cut to more than 3200 government, Catholic and independent schools across Australia,” Mr Scott said.