Newman Government Must Maintain Education Funding Levels.

Media Release.

Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk says the Newman Government must not use new federal education funding to cut its own state funding for Queensland school students.

“The deal announced between the Abbott Government and the Newman Government is less than the $3.8 billion over six years — including $1.3 billion to be contributed by Queensland — the former federal Labor Government was offering,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“The deal rejected by the Newman Government before the federal election was based on Queensland maintaining its existing own-source funding and not using extra federal funds to reduce its funding efforts."

“That was the sticking point for the Newman Government."

“I fear that when the Premier and Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said they wanted a ‘no-string-attached’ deal, they wanted the sort of deal they have now struck — one that sees them contribute nothing while opening the door to them reducing their spending and covering up their cuts with federal funds."

“The fact is students and their schools in our state are receiving less money with no requirement for the Newman Government to maintain its own funding levels,” Ms Palaszczuk said.