Labor's public school plan rips $18 billion out of public schools, opens door for Dutton's cuts

Labor's public school plan rips $18 billion out of public schools, opens door for Dutton's cuts | Australian Greens Skip to main content Search Get Involved Join Donate Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Get Involved Join Donate Search Our plan Toggle Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Toggle Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Toggle Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement Toggle About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Labor's public school plan rips $18 billion out of public schools, opens door for Dutton's cuts 2025-04-28 New analysis shows that public schools will have $18 billion ripped away due to Labor’s plan to push full public school funding back to 2034.

The federal government’s share of public school funding is currently set at 20%, but is due to rise to 25% (40% in the NT) in order to reach the bare minimum funding required by Australia’s public schools. Analysis of budget papers and Labor’s statements reveals that the timeline for raising the federal contribution has been pushed back, with the vast majority of new funding planned for after 2029.

Already struggling public schools will miss out on around $3 billion each year between now and 2029 when compared with raising the federal contribution from 2026. Labor’s plan sees an estimated $5.8 billion ripped out from NSW public schools by the end of the funding deal, with Victoria losing $5 billion and Queensland losing $4.4 billion. Peter Dutton has repeatedly committed to only funding public school agreements “as the numbers appear in the budget papers.” With promised funding not in the budget due to Labor pushing meaningful increases out past the forward estimates, Labor have handed Dutton a free pass to gut public school funding if he gets into office.

Dutton’s positioning on only committing to expenditure detailed in the forward estimates has “all the hallmarks of the Abbott/Pyne abandonment of the Gonski funding plan in 2013” according to education expert Trevor Cobbold. Under the Greens’ plan the Commonwealth share of spending on public schools will rise in 2026 to 25% – except in the Northern Territory where it will be 40% – rather than making public school kids wait another decade for the bare minimum.

The Greens plan for public schools also includes free lunches and an annual payment of $800 made to families at the start of the school year for each child attending a public school, helping to meet growing out-of-pocket costs like uniforms, technology and school supplies. The Greens are the party of public education, and the only party committed to fully funding our public schools in 2026.

Comments attributable to Greens spokesperson for Primary and Secondary Education, Senator Penny Allman-Payne: “I think public school parents and teachers will be shocked at how much is being ripped out of their school. And what’s worse, this leaves the door open to funding cuts if Peter Dutton gets his way. “With Labor giving up on fighting inequality and the Liberals ideologically opposed to the very existence of public education, only the Greens are fighting for our public schools.

“This election is an opportunity to elect strong local Greens MPs that believe in public schools, or more major party backbenchers that will leave public schools underfunded for another decade. “Every child deserves a free, world-class public education, and that’s what the Greens are committed to delivering - we think kids starting school next year deserve a fully funded education now, not in ten years.

“If you’re worried about your public school getting the funding it needs, we can’t keep voting for the same two parties and expecting a different result." Facebook for the Australian Greens YouTube for the Australian Greens X for the Australian Greens Instagram for the Australian Greens Bluesky for the Australian Greens Privacy Members website Your safety Contact us Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action In your language 2025 policy platform Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Federal portfolios Federal media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Upcoming events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Green Magazine All news Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Members website State/territory parties Contact us The Greens acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.

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