With both Queensland and Victoria digging their heels in over support for the Gonski reforms, the PM and her cabinet are visiting schools around the country to explain the $14.5 billion reform package. The school blitz is aimed to get the funds moving ahead of the start of the 2014 school year by putting pressure on the Premiers to sign up before the June 30 deadline.
The PM is also planning to hold a teleconference with 200 school principals regarding the reform, with her message to the Premiers remaining unchanged. The PM says that now is the time to boost funding to benefit Australian kids, and if NSW Liberal Premier Barry O’Farrell can see the merit in Labor’s plan, then why can’t his Liberal peers.
Julia Gillard has also written to Victorian Premier Denis Napthine, as her concern grows that he is stalling the negotiations to hide Victorian Government cuts to schools behind increased federal funding. The letter follows a similar letter sent last week by Mr Garrett.
