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The Federal Government has secured the 10 crossbench votes required to pass the Australian Education Amendment Bill 2017, commonly referred to as ‘Gonski 2.0’.
Senators Jacqui Lambie, Derryn Hinch, Lucy Gichuhi, the Nick Xenophon Team (NXT) and One Nation’s four senators backed the proposed school changes in today’s vote after the Coalition agreed to last-minute amendments to the Bill.
The amendments include an extra $5bn to schools on top of the $18.6bn pledged by the Federal Government, reducing the roll-out from 10 years to six and a $50m package to help Catholic schools transition to the new model.
The additional support to Catholic schools appears to have swayed retiring Liberal senator, Chris Back, who had threatened to cross the floor if adequate support was not given to the Catholic sector.
One Nation senator, Malcolm Roberts, said he had met with Senator Back ahead of the crucial vote today and secured his support for the funding package.
“We understand from Senator Back that the government will be putting a one year moratorium and a delay on implementing some of the provisions in this legislation,’’ Senator Roberts told reporters.
The eleventh-hour concessions mean that all schools will transition to the Federal Government’s new funding model, with private schools being able to access the additional assistance.
The Federal Government has also agreed to a conduct review into the way the socio-economic scores are calculated.
The Educator will bring you more news as it develops.