Northern suburbs schools expected to get funding win in Federal Budget

LOCAL schools will receive more funding over the next decade, Liberal MPs have said ahead of tonight’s Federal Budget.

Moore MHR Ian Goodenough said every school in his electorate would receive a boost in funding over the next decade.

Mr Goodenough said he had received confirmation from Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham that no school in the electorate would receive a reduction in funding.

According to his office, funding is set to increase by an average of 60.9 per cent across all school sectors in Moore by 2027.

“I made a speech in Parliament early in the budget process advocating for both state and independent schools within my electorate to receive an increase in funding,” Mr Goodenough said.

“I am very pleased to say that no school in Moore will be at a disadvantage and in fact all schools in the area will be receiving additional funding.”

Pearce MHR Christian Porter’s office confirmed funding was set to increase by an average of 65.5 per cent across all school sectors in his electorate by 2027.

A spokeswoman said no schools in Pearce would have a reduction of Commonwealth funding in 2018.

Last Friday, Mr Porter said funding for WA schools in general would grow by an extra $1.7 billion over the next 10 years in a reform package that he described as a “massive win” for local schools.

“This package ensures we are meeting the needs of students in Pearce and linking funding to school reforms which are proven to boost student results,” he said.

“While we know a strong level of funding for schools is vital, what’s more important is how that funding is used.

“David Gonski will lead a new inquiry into improving the results of Australian students focused on the most effective teaching and learning strategies to reverse declining results, and seek to raise the performance of schools and students.

“Our reforms will set our schools up for the future, and deliver fair, needs-based funding for all Australian students.”

All schools in the Cowan electorate will benefit from increased funding, with Alta-1 College in Wangara and Mercy College in Koondoola the biggest winners, receiving an extra $778,800 and $662,600 in 2018 respectively.

Goodenough champions for independent schools

EARLIER this year, Moore MHR Ian Goodenough spoke in Parliament about retaining funding for independent schools, highlighting several local schools.

“Many hardworking parents in my electorate choose to make the necessary sacrifice and commitment to providing the best possible education they can afford for their children,” he said.

“They are by no means wealthy, working long hours and forgoing luxuries to send their children to a private school.”

Mr Goodenough said the median fee was $4800, and the average funding allocation per student was $7940 for independent schools and $9750 for Catholic schools, compared with $16,180 for government schools.

“On average, independent schools receive around half the level of government funding of public schools,” he said.

“The contribution of these parents towards the cost of their children’s education ought to be recognised.

“It has been estimated that, if all independent-school students were to transfer to the public system, it would cost both the State and Federal governments an additional $4.3 billion per annum.”

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