The future of school funding in Victoria

What is the future of school funding in Victoria under the new state and Commonwealth governments? Is Gonski dead?

I’m delighted to join the Victorian minister for education James Merlino, Gonski Panelist Ken Boston, school principals and other key stakeholders in speaking at the most significant forum on school funding in years.

It’s organised by the Need to Succeed (NTS) coalition, a broad-based group of fairer-funding supporters that promotes transparent, sector-blind and needs-based school funding models. They believe these models better support students experiencing disadvantage and they work with key education stakeholders to advocate for their implementation.

For more information and to purchase tickets, click .

Update on the symposium here.

Fixing education funding: Did Gonski get it right?

Will the landmark Gonski review change anything in Australian schools? Come along to this public forum organised by the Australian Fabian Society to hear passionate education reformers Maxine McKew, Frank Sal and myself.  It’s on April 18 at the Melbourne Conference Centre. More information and online registration here.

Guest lecture at the University of Melbourne

I was invited to give a guest lecture on federalism as part of the Australian Politics course at the University of Melbourne. A great honour and great fun. As well as covering the nuts and bolts of Australian federalism, how it’s changed over time, and some common critiques and reform suggestions, the lecture included seven political cartoons and two pictures of cake: layer and marble. Here are the slides and the speaking notes if you’re interested.

Vivendo na Australia (Living in Australia) Guide

It’s my great privilege to launch this innovative and practical guide for new migrants published by the Newcomers Network and ABRISA – the Brazilian Association for Social Development and Integration. The launch is being held Tuesday 6 July, 5:30 – 7:30 at Melbourne Town Hall (Yarra Room). Attendance is free, but registration essential.  For more information on the guide or to download a copy, click here. To read my speech, click here.  Obrigada!

Schooling funding and federalism - Australian Social Policy Conference

My research paper on school funding and federalism got a rave response at the Australian Social Policy Conference. Based on my PhD research, it highlights the complexity of school funding arrangements; their relationship with intergovernmental processes, institutions and structures; the paucity of research to date and the need to reconceptualise the problem for quality research and lasting reforms. The powerpoint presentation is here, and the paper itself is here.