New analysis has revealed that students in Australia’s regional, rural and remote towns will bear the brunt of the Turnbull Liberal Government’s $30 billion cut to schools.

 

$12.5 billion will be ripped from 1.5 million country students under the Turnbull Liberal Government’s plan, according to fresh data.

 

Students in regional and remote Australia should not pay the price for the Turnbull Liberal Government’s broken promise on school funding.

 

Across all tested year levels, students from regional and remote Australia score lower in the national assessment of literacy and numeracy.

 

And more students drop out of school, with year 12 retention rates significantly lower in regional and remote Australia than in major cities.

 

Under the needs-based school funding model, around 40 per cent of additional funding would have flowed to regional and remote classrooms.

 

The additional funding would address the growing gap between regional students and their city peers by providing more individual attention for each student.

 

Even Malcolm Turnbull’s colleagues have rallied against these cuts to regional schools:

 

“Why was I the strongest advocate across all education ministers?

I think it’s because I’m the only National Party minister.

Our electorates benefit the most.”

 

ADRIAN PICCOLI – THE AUSTRALIAN – 14 JUNE 2014

 

Right now, students in regional and remote areas are trapped in a lottery of location which can determine their success at school and beyond.

 

Labor won’t stop fighting the Liberals cuts to our schools.

 

We remain committed to the evidenced-based, needs-based school funding model developed by David Gonski.

 

Labor is determined to ensure regional and remote students get a quality education because their future, and Australia’s future depends on it.

 

TUESDAY, 27 OCTOBER 2015

 

MEDIA CONTACT: LEADER’S OFFICE MEDIA UNIT 02 6277 4053

                                    JOANNE CLEARY 0428 816 751 (ELLIS)