The Albanese Government’s Budget has confirmed it has failed to sign bilateral school funding agreements with all states, with reports it remains at loggerheads with the Victorian government.
Shadow Minister for Education Sarah Henderson said the Albanese government has made a complete shambles of its 10 year school funding and reform agreements, which remain secret ignoring a Senate order for transparency.
“What we do know is that of the additional $16.5 billion promised, only a mere $407.5 million will be delivered in the next four years,” Senator Henderson said.
“That means a Year 7 student today will see no meaningful benefit before they finish school.
“It is also clear Prime Minister Albanese misled Australians when he announced his government had finalised all school funding deals.”
“What the agreements between the Commonwealth and our eight state and territory governments have delivered is that every student, regardless of which school they go to, will receive this funding.”
Anthony Albanese, Press Conference, 24 March 2025
“Negotiations with jurisdictions who are yet to sign Bilateral Agreements are continuing.”
Budget 2025-26, Budget Paper 2, Page 37
“While the Coalition will match these agreements dollar for dollar, we are also concerned they contain little in the way of specific reforms which are crucial to raising academic standards,” Senator Henderson said.
“With one in three children failing NAPLAN reflecting Australia’s literacy and numeracy crisis, the Coalition has long called for explicit instruction and other evidence-based teaching methods to be mandated in every classroom. So why has Labor ignored this critical obligation in its agreements, including how teachers will be better supported in the classroom?
“The government has also let down teachers, students and parents by failing to address classroom behaviour, given we have some of the world’s most unruliest classrooms.
“At a time when teacher shortages are escalating and classroom disruption is going from bad to worse, the Budget provides no additional targeted funding to address these challenges.”
Senator Henderson said shockingly, there is no provision for future preschool funding, with the current agreement set to expire in just nine months.
“This leaves a looming budget blackhole worth around $1.6 billion, jeopardising the early education of young Australians,” Senator Henderson said.
The Budget confirms Labor is cutting $712 million from the National Priorities and Industry Linkages Fund. Labor has moved this funding within the university sector for growth it cannot explain, based on modelling it will not disclose.
Senator Henderson said the Budget is not about the next five years—it’s about the next five weeks.
“It’s an election Budget, not one for Australia’s future prosperity,” Senator Henderson said.
“Under our leadership, Commonwealth school funding nearly doubled from $13 billion in 2013 to $25.3 billion in 2022, underpinned by a needs-based model.
“A Coalition Government will always better manage the economy to ensure we can invest in essential services like education while keeping our country safe and secure.
“Australians cannot afford another three years of this Labor Government.”