AEU takes up fight against Turnbull's cuts to WA Gonski funding

WA students are set to miss out on vital support programs under Malcolm Turnbull’s plan to cut Gonski funding, the AEU said today.

AEU Federal President Correna Haythorpe will be visiting schools in Perth today as part of the AEU’s national campaign against cuts to Gonski.

Ms Haythorpe said Malcolm Turnbull’s plan to stop Gonski funding would see WA students miss out on $330 million of vital programs and support in 2018 and 2019 alone.

“This election gives voters a choice between investment in our schools and students and cuts to vital funding,” Ms Haythorpe said.

“WA students have already been hit by the State Government’s decision to cut its own funding and its refusal to pass on Gonski to schools.

“If Malcolm Turnbull has his way they will miss out again from his cuts to the last two years of Gonski funding, when the bulk of the extra resources are to be delivered to schools.

“WA students are missing out on extra programs which are already starting to deliver results for students in other States.

“These include smaller classes, more one-to-one support and targeted literacy and numeracy programs.

“Labor’s figures show an extra $330 million will go to schools in 2018 and 2019 under the full Gonski compared to Malcolm Turnbull’s plan.

“The bulk of this funding would go to the neediest schools which educate WA’s most disadvantaged students.

“We know that Gonski funding is already making a difference, so why does Malcolm Turnbull want to stop it?”

“Malcolm Turnbull has found money for tax cuts for high income earners, yet is unable to find money to invest in our kids’ education.

“We know that 1-in-7 15 year-olds struggles to read properly, and 1-in-5 struggles with basic maths.

“It is not in our long-term social or economic interest to let these children leave school without the skills to get a job or lead a successful life.

Media Contact: Ben Ruse 0437 971 291