Member for Cowper Luke Hartsuyker said the Government’s funding reforms had been endorsed by David Gonski himself and would see local schools get an average of $5.76 million each, over the next 10 years.

“We’re one step closer to realising David Gonski’s vision for true, sector-blind needs-based funding for Australia’s schools,” Mr Hartsuyker said.

Labor and various community groups have opposed the revised Gonski funding plan. 

“I was stunned to see the Labor Party oppose the additional investment for schools. After years of claiming they supported needs-based funding they’re now turning their backs on a plan endorsed by David Gonski himself,” Hartsuyker said. 

In a speech in Parliament supporting the legislation, Mr Hartsuyker spoke of the ways this funding would be used to reverse declining results.

“In recent years, despite increased funding, we have seen educational outcomes declining,” Mr Hartsuyker added.

“That is why the government is absolutely focused on putting in place policies that are going to improve educational outcomes over and above merely increasing funding.”

Ian Watson, the regional organiser of the NSW Teachers Federation based in Port Macquarie, said the revised Gonski plans were a step backward for Macleay schools.  

“The figures that Luke Hartsuyker refers to represent a cut compared to what the schools have budgeted for by the state government,” Mr Watson said. 

Mr Watson said the reforms would prevent public schools from reaching the Schooling Resource Standard stipulated in the Gonski model.

Rallies protesting against the reforms are scheduled to be held along the Mid North Coast this week.

“We will not stand by and allow Malcolm Turnbull to cut school funding in NSW and that’s why we are campaigning with a mobile billboard carrying the message ‘Our Kids Can’t Afford Turnbull’s $846 Million Cuts to Gonski’,” Mr Watson said.