Prime Minister Scott Morrison has struck a $4.6 billion peace deal with Catholic and independent schools, which over a decade he says will bring to an end a long-running war over the Gonski 2.0 school funding model.
But despite his positive spin, it’s drawing criticism from all corners of politics.
What does the private school funding deal involve?
On Thursday, Mr Morrison told reporters in Canberra his deal was a win for students, parents and teachers.
“For students, this will mean the opportunity to get the best results from school. For parents, it will mean that choice remains affordable,” Mr Morrison said.
“For teachers, it will mean certainty of funding so they can get on with the job.”
The government will contribute $3.2 billion over 10 years from 2020 to fund changes to the way parents’ wealth is measured, based on income tax data.
In 2019, independent and Catholic schools will receive $170.8 million over the calendar year.
And they say a further $1.2 billion “Choice and Affordability Fund” will be spent on Catholic and independent schools over 10 years to help keep fees affordable and maintain choice.
What the Morrison Government is saying about the private school funding deal.
Education Minister Dan Tehan told parliament federal funding to public schools was at record levels, going from $6.8 billion last year to $7.3 billion this year and $7.9 billion the following year.
“From 2017 to 2027, commonwealth funding to state schools will grow by 86 per cent.”
In May last year Mr Morrison as treasurer ruled out any “special deals” being done.
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Top Comments
this is what his zion masters have demanded of him
Schools ran by a religion should have no tax payer funding until the religion pays tax.
They're double dipping (at the minimum) by not paying tax then accepting other people's tax money.
My children attend private school and I actually agree with you. Religions should be paying tax, it the biggest business in the world.
If you are referring to religious institutions selling books, CDs or other products, then yes they should be taxed as any other business.
If you are talking about donations people make to the religious institution, such as the tithe, no they should not be taxed- unless you also think charities should be taxed for the donations they receive?
Religious people already pay tax. Pastors and employees who receive a wage from the tithe pay tax. Speaking for all the churches I have attended, the rest of the money is used for maintenance and building upkeep, then distributed to the various charity organisations the church supports.
And, in situations where a school is attached to a religious building such as a church, from what I have observed the two are run completely separately in terms of finances. So I don't see how the taxing of religions necessarily applies to religious schools (which are already being taxed).
People can donate what they like, that's not an issue.
Them not needing to pay tax for selling items (not to mention their land holdings which are in the billions) on the other hand, is ridiculous.
Churches do pay tax on their business concerns! All the figures are available on the internet and so you can check it out if you wish. If their charitable work was taxed (foster care, op-shops, nursing homes, retirement villages, Anglicare food and shelter) they’d not be able to do it. And how do you propose taxing charitable work anyway? Income, capital, pay roll, money received for letting tap dancers use their hall? They tend to make little more than they need to keep running (as do the vast majority of churches). The govt couldn’t take over what faith-based charities provide so society would be worse off overall. Hopefully that’s not what you mean?