This week the Greens distributed an Open Letter to the Premier demanding the immediate reinstatement of funding to meet the Gonski Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) by 2028, not 2031 as Labor, the Greens said, quietly decided and concealed.

It was confirmed in last week’s state budget that the Allan Government planned to break their promise to deliver Victoria’s contribution to properly fund public schools by delaying their share for three years to 2031, cutting funding by billions of dollars. 

The Victorian Greens are also pushing for a parliamentary inquiry to examine the consequences of what they said is effectively cutting $2.4 billion from public school funding, with the cumulative impact, including lost federal contributions nearing $3 billion and entrenching Victoria as the lowest funder of public schools in the country.

Education spokesperson, Dr Tim Read said Allan has serious questions to answer.

“In the so-called Education State, why is Victoria stepping back while every other state steps up?” he asked.

“Victorians deserve to know the consequences of this quiet decision made by the Premier and concealed in Budget papers that essentially rips $2.4 billion from our already underfunded schools and puts millions in Commonwealth support at risk.

“This is critical funding. Teachers are burning out, schools are under pressure, children don’t have access to the support they need - and this decision means that a child starting prep today won’t get full funding until Grade Six.”

A report on ABC’s 7.30 on Monday night highlighted the concerns of school staff in Melbourne’s outer suburbs, which the Australian Education Union (AEU) Victorian Branch said are echoed statewide, with funding delays denying students what they need to thrive and having a negative impact on principals, teachers, and education support staff alike. 

“Victoria’s public schools are the lowest funded in the country,” AEU Victorian Branch president Justin Mullaly said on Tuesday.

“Last night’s ABC 7.30 program clearly shows how inadequate funding means schools do not have the resources and staffing they need leading to learning inequality.

“Without full funding delivered in a fair and timely way, it is being denied to students and it will be much harder for public school teachers, education support staff and principals to effectively meet the learning and wellbeing needs of students.”

Beyond needing to explain to Victorian public school staff, students, and families why they are not worth the investment compared to other states and territories, Mullaly said the Premier and Education Minister need to “fix this mess” and ensure schools are properly and fairly funded.

“Full SRS funding would provide more support to Victorian public school students and help them reach their full potential,” Mullaly continued.

“It would also mean schools would be properly equipped to deal the ongoing teacher shortages by being able to better retain existing staff and attract the next generation to the profession.”

The Greens moved in the Upper House on Wednesday, for the Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee to inquire and consider the impact of the delay of Gonski funding for Victorian students, teachers and schools, with the inquiry set to report by April 2026.

The Victorian Greens said an inquiry is essential, given the state already has the lowest-funded public schools in the country, and Labor’s decision to delay Gonski funding will only make things worse and has jeopardised millions in additional funding from the Commonwealth.