NSW signs up to Gonski reforms

Judith Ireland and Daniel Hurst New South Wales has become the first state to sign up to the Gonski school education reforms, in a breakthrough likely to add pressure on the other premiers to settle a deal.

Casual workforce little changed since 2001

Daniel Hurst Australia's casual workforce has remained steady over the past decade according to a new Productivity Commission paper that puts union campaigns warning of increases in insecure work in context.

Union push for flexible work hours appeals

Daniel Hurst A push to help employees access flexible work hours should be strengthened so workers can appeal if their requests are refused, the peak union body has told a Senate inquiry.

Class action on Gonski reforms

Catherine Armitage, Daniel Hurst Every week since last September, excluding holidays, top government officials have met secretly at various locations around Canberra with two of the nation's most powerful lobby groups to thrash out...

PM fails to reach deal with states on Gonski reforms

Daniel Hurst and Mark Kenny Prime Minister Julia Gillard has failed to reach a breakthrough on school funding reforms in her talks with state and territory leaders.

Independents to back reform despite uni cuts

Daniel Hurst Key federal independent MPs Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott have signalled they can live with the university funding cuts the government has outlined to pay for its landmark school reforms.

Canberra promises to take a hands-off approach on extra funding

Daniel Hurst Schools that gain extra cash under the Gonski reforms have been told to expect a hands-off approach from the federal government, with principals spared from submitting spending plans for approval.

Schools seeking Gonski cash will need improvement plan

Daniel Hurst Schools that gain extra cash under the Gonski reforms have been told to expect a hands-off approach from the federal government, with principals spared from submitting spending plans for approval.

Key independents signal support for PM's school funding plan

Daniel Hurst Federal independent MPs Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott have signalled they can live with the university funding cuts the government has outlined to pay for its school reforms.

Coalition says all states, territories must agree

Daniel Hurst, Josephine Tovey Julia Gillard's signature school funding reforms could hinge on her ability to strike a deal with all states and territories, with the Coalition warning it would ''unpick'' anything less.

Unanimity key to model going ahead

Daniel Hurst, Josephine Tovey The future of Julia Gillard's signature school funding reforms could hinge on her ability to strike a deal with all states and territories, with the Coalition warning it would ''unpick'' anything...

Garrett talks up chance of Gonski deal

Daniel Hurst Federal School Education Minister Peter Garrett is talking up the chances of striking a deal to overhaul school funding, despite several unresolved sticking points and outbreaks of political jousting...

BCA demands 10-year costing on key reforms

Daniel Hurst A business leader has warned the government to be realistic about whether it can afford its landmark reforms.

Public schools serve growing numbers of disadvantaged

Daniel Hurst, Josephine Tovey Twice as many students at public schools come from low-income families as from high-income ones, a dramatic shift from 25 years ago when the make-up was more equal.

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'Crack team' plan to report on school performance

Daniel Hurst A ''crack team'' of education gurus will be formed into a new national body to collect school performance data, Federal School Education Minister Peter Garrett has said.

Gillard's school reforms in peril as states refuse

Daniel Hurst and Jewel Topsfield Prime Minister Julia Gillard's hopes of securing a landmark deal to overhaul school funding have suffered a setback, after Australia's biggest states baulked at a demand to sign up to school...

Conservative states refuse to back Gonski plan, accusing Garrett of playing politics

Daniel Hurst Julia Gillard's hopes of securing a landmark deal to overhaul school funding have suffered a setback, after the nation's biggest states refused to sign up to the reform principles.

Funding off agenda in Gonski phone hook-up

Daniel Hurst The Gillard government will insist states and territories endorse the principles of its national plan for school improvement on Monday afternoon – before funding amounts are locked in.

Coalition 'fact-free zone' on NBN: Conroy

Daniel Hurst The Gillard government has rejected claims the cost of the national broadband network will more than double to $90 billion, saying the Coalition was a ''fact-free zone''.