With the federal budget due on May 9, and education minister Simon Birmingham scheduled to make an announcement about schools funding on May 4, the Gonski campaign continues to take the message of fair schools funding to the public. While teachers, parents and community members recognise the importance of needs-based funding, our federal government still refuses to fund the successful funding model, and so the campaign aims to make sure they know that Australian schools need Gonski!
On Saturday, 29 April, Federation officers joined with local teachers and community members to hold a stall on the streets of Cronulla, in the Federal electorate of Cook which is currently held by treasurer Scott Morrison. A lot of supporters from the local community came to sign the petition and take photos with the “On Board with Gonski” campaign placards.
This followed another successful event on the last weekend of the recent holidays when Gonski supporters had a stall in Westfield, Bondi Junction to engage the local community of Malcolm Turnbull’s electorate of Wentworth.
On May 2 there are two campaign actions that all members and Gonski supporters can participate in to draw further attention to the need for Gonski funding in our schools.
Send a message to Malcolm Turnbull
Malcolm Turnbull needs to get the message that the community wants him to continue this funding in the May 9 Budget and to reverse his damaging cuts.
The Coalition has not yet presented their alternate plan for schools funding that was promised for November 2016 – just a plan to stop Gonski funding after this year.
For public schools the funding is vital: 8 out of 10 principals say the Gonski funding delivered so far is not enough to fully address student need, and it is the most disadvantaged and at-risk kids who will be worst affected if the cuts go ahead.
Tweetathon – Tuesday, May 2.
If you are on twitter, you can also join members and Gonski supporters in a tweetathon to Malcolm Turnbull.
It runs from 6.30pm to 8.30pm (AEST) on Tuesday, May 2, and to participate all you have to do is tweet @TurnbullMalcolm and use the hashtag #Gonski. Make sure you are also following @igiveagonski.
The AEU has conducted these tweetathons before and they have been a huge success, so please join in on the night and help keep the #Gonski hashtag trending throughout the night