Gonski review

Gonski review

The Gonski review was a major inquiry into Australian schooling funding chaired by businessman David Gonski that produced recommendations shaping national funding arrangements and public debate. The review influenced federal policy discussions involving figures such as Julia Gillard, Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull, and Scott Morrison, and institutions including the Schools Assistance Act, the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, and state education departments. It intersected with national debates involving the Australian Labor Party, the Liberal Party of Australia, the Australian Education Union, and business and philanthropic actors like the Minderoo Foundation and the Myer Foundation.

Background

The review was commissioned by Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Minister for Education Julia Gillard's administration following consultations with stakeholders including the Public Service Association of NSW, the Australian Education Union, the Business Council of Australia, and philanthropists such as Gina Rinehart and Andrew Forrest. David Gonski, known for roles at ANZ Bank, the Goodman Group, and the University of New South Wales Council, led a panel informed by submissions from the National Catholic Education Commission, the Independent Schools Council of Australia, state systems such as New South Wales Department of Education, Victorian Department of Education, and peak bodies including the Australian Research Council and the Grattan Institute. The inquiry followed earlier policy developments like the Bradley Review and intersected with reporting by the Productivity Commission and analyses from think tanks such as the Centre for Independent Studies.

Key recommendations

The review recommended a needs-based funding model, later called the "Schooling Resource Standard" (SRS), to allocate resources across sectors including Catholic Education systems, independent schools like Scotch College, Melbourne, and public school systems such as Sydney Boys High School and Melbourne High School. It urged an Australian Curriculum aligned with assessment frameworks used by NAPLAN overseen by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority and proposed targets for class sizes and teacher quality connected to institutions like the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership and teacher accreditation processes in Queensland and Western Australia. The panel advocated increased funding for disadvantaged cohorts, referencing socioeconomic indices developed with data sources such as the Australian Bureau of Statistics and studies by the Australian Council for Educational Research and the Grattan Institute.

Funding and implementation

Implementation involved negotiations between the Commonwealth of Australia and state and territory leaders including premiers from New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, and the Australian Capital Territory. Funding commitments were debated in parliaments, influenced by treasurers such as Wayne Swan and Joe Hockey, and negotiated with ministers including Peter Garrett and Christopher Pyne. The arrangement led to legislation amending the Schools Assistance Act and distribution through mechanisms involving the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority and state education departments. Philanthropic contributions from entities like the Myer Foundation and corporate partners including BHP and Telstra supplemented public funds, while audits and reviews engaged the Australian National Audit Office and researchers at universities including University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, and Australian National University.

Reactions and criticism

Responses ranged across political and civil society actors: the Australian Education Union and unions representing teachers responded alongside parent groups such as the Australian Parents Council and parent-teacher associations at schools like Geelong Grammar School. Opposition figures including Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull framed debates differently than proponents such as Julia Gillard and Labor colleagues. Think tanks including the Institute of Public Affairs and the Grattan Institute produced critiques and support, while commentators from media outlets tied to figures such as Rupert Murdoch and organizations like the Australian Broadcasting Corporation covered controversy. Legal challenges and state-based disputes involved attorneys-general in jurisdictions including New South Wales and Victoria, and education researchers at the Australian Council for Educational Research and universities critiqued measurement and accountability mechanisms.

Impact and legacy

The review's SRS influenced subsequent policy under prime ministers Julia Gillard, Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull, and Scott Morrison, affecting funding trajectories in budgets by treasurers such as Wayne Swan, Joe Hockey, Scott Morrison and impacting institutional practice at bodies like the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority and the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership. Long-term effects appear in research by the Productivity Commission, evaluations by the Australian National Audit Office, and studies at universities including Monash University and University of New South Wales, shaping debates about equity championed by advocates linked to organizations such as the Smith Family and foundations like Beswick Foundation. The legacy persists in subsequent reviews and inquiries involving state education ministers and national policy forums such as COAG and its successor Council meetings, and continues to inform political platforms of parties including the Australian Labor Party and the Liberal Party of Australia.

Category:Education in Australia