The NSW Teachers Federation has expressed grave concern after Shadow Finance Minister Jane Hume refused to commit to maintaining the historic schools funding agreement recently reached between the Albanese and Minns Governments.
In a concerning interview, Ms. Hume repeatedly avoided committing to the $4.8 billion public school funding agreement, raising serious questions about the Coalition's commitment to public education funding ahead of the upcoming federal election.
When directly asked whether the Coalition would maintain the landmark agreement, Ms. Hume stated: "that policy is not one that I've seen, it's not one that we've considered and potentially it will be one that will be discussed by the coalition... I don't want to pre-empt that."
NSW Teachers Federation President Henry Rajendra said the Shadow Minister's comments were deeply troubling and reinforced longstanding concerns about the Coalition's approach to public education.
"Just days after celebrating a breakthrough moment for NSW public schools, we're already seeing warning signs that this historic achievement could be under threat," Rajendra said.
"This landmark agreement is the culmination of more than a decade of committed campaigning. It addresses the systemic underfunding of public schools and finally delivers the full Gonski model that teachers, parents, and students have fought tirelessly to achieve."
The funding agreement increases the Federal Government's contribution to the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) from 20 to 25 percent, bringing public schools to 100 percent of the SRS when combined with the state contribution. Crucially, it also ends accounting tricks introduced under previous governments.
Despite multiple opportunities to affirm support for this critical funding, Ms. Hume instead questioned where the funding was coming from and emphasized that the Coalition would go to the election with "a better bottom line."
"Our worst fears are being confirmed," Rajendra said. "When asked directly if public school funding was at risk under a Dutton government, Ms. Hume's assurance rang hollow as she immediately pivoted to questioning the policy's details and emphasizing fiscal restraint. This mirrors the Coalition's concerning pattern of undermining public education."
The NSW Teachers Federation notes that Ms. Hume's comments align with the Coalition's historical approach to education funding. Under the Abbott government, $30 billion in promised education funding was cut despite pre-election commitments that there would be "no cuts to education" and promises to match "dollar for dollar" Labor's commitments. The Turnbull government subsequently ripped up signed Gonski agreements with five state governments and changed the law to ensure the Commonwealth funded 80% of the SRS for private schools but just 20% for public schools. The Morrison government went further with bilateral agreements that entrenched inequality and saw 98% of private schools funded at the SRS or above while public schools languished.
"The Coalition's track record speaks for itself. They have consistently prioritised funding for private schools over public education, often disguised as a matter of 'choice,' leaving public schools to bear the brunt of cuts and underinvestment. This has directly contributed to teacher burnout, staffing shortages, and increased workloads," Rajendra said.
"We will not stand by and allow this historic funding agreement to be undermined. Our members will campaign vigorously across NSW electorates to defend this landmark achievement and ensure every public school student receives the resources they need to thrive."
The Federation calls on Peter Dutton and the Coalition to provide an unequivocal commitment to honour the full public school funding agreement if elected.
"Peter Dutton has spent three years attacking and undermining teachers . Now his Shadow Finance Minister is refusing to commit to the funding our students need," Rajendra added. "The upcoming federal election presents a clear choice for the future of education in this country."
