Federal Government furiously negotiating Gonski 2.0 with Senate crossbench
The Senate crossbench has been given a range of possible compromises on the Coalition's school funding overhaul, as the Government fights to clinch a deal before Parliament rises next week.
Education Minister Simon Birmingham has been furiously negotiating with the Greens, which are open to supporting the plan as long as the Coalition agrees to spend more money on schools over a shorter period of time.
A deal with the minor party would mean the minister would only need to secure the support of one more crossbencher to get the plan through the Senate, robbing Labor of a key point of attack.
Fairfax Media reports one potential compromise put forward is to increase the funding by as much as $24 billion over 10 years — up from the $18.6 billion already announced — and reduce the time over which schools would reach their target funding.
According to the report, the Government estimates that would add $1.5 billion to the funding package over the four-year budget cycle and up to $5 billion over the decade.
The ABC understands the Government has given other crossbenchers detailed information about how much it would cost to deliver the needs-based funding model over different time frames.
A spokesman for Senator Birmingham said the minister would not comment on negotiations ahead of next week's Senate debate.
But the minister, who has successfully negotiated the passage of the Government's childcare package through Parliament, is clearly open to making some concessions to get the school funding deal legislated.
He has already announced special transitional arrangements for the ACT and there are calls for a similar deal for the NT.
Any moves to increase the funding would not only add to the Government's budget repair task though; it would also prove controversial with those on the conservative side of the party who are already uncomfortable with the $18.6 billion figure.
The legislation is set to be debated in the Senate next Wednesday, leaving little time for the package to pass before the six-week winter break.