Australia near bottom of the class in government school funding

The major announcements during the recent campaign in relation to this problem were, effectively, to delay consideration of response to it. The Gillard Government confirmed that it would defer any overhaul of school funding until 2014. The Coalition promised to retain the existing and deeply flawed SES school funding model and that non-government schools will not be worse off in "real terms".

Australian schools need a resourcing model based on consistency, transparency, needs-based funding and a public guarantee of universal access to quality education. Without significant change, governments will struggle to meet the current target of ensuring 90 per cent completion of Year 12 or equivalent.

The Commonwealth Review of Funding for Schools is due to hand down its findings at the end of 2011. This represents a major step forward in providing a platform for frank discussion about the best way to reform school funding.

What is urgently needed is a systemic response to the moral imperative of ensuring that a quality, world-class education is available to all Australians. As the newly formed government shapes its policy, the reform of school funding must be kept high on its agenda.