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View all programs David Gonski: Funding and fairness in Australian education
If you can be given a modicum of luck and a big dollop of education, and some backup, I think most people can do amazing things.
In this episode, we chat with business leader, philanthropist and education advocate David Gonski AC. He led a landmark review that established the benchmark used to estimate how much public funding a school needs to meet its students’ educational needs.
Almost 14 years on, with the Commonwealth and all states and territories now signed onto the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement – and agreed on their share of that funding – schools are finally on track to be fully and fairly funded by 2034.
“I am delighted, even though it took time, that the Commonwealth and the states have come together, and I pay respect to the governments who have brought that to pass.
”My belief is that with proper use of the additional funding, bringing the experts in, and providing it where it's needed, which is generally in the government schools, because that's generally where the disadvantage is, I don't see why one can't solve this problem. Now, will you solve it 100%? I doubt that, but you can certainly do better than where we are today,” says David.
Tune in for this thoughtful conversation about passion, policy and possibility – with young people and their potential at the heart of it.
Conversations highlights
David talks to Doug about:
Almost 14 years on, with the Commonwealth and all states and territories now signed onto the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement – and agreed on their share of that funding – schools are finally on track to be fully and fairly funded by 2034.
“I am delighted, even though it took time, that the Commonwealth and the states have come together, and I pay respect to the governments who have brought that to pass.
”My belief is that with proper use of the additional funding, bringing the experts in, and providing it where it's needed, which is generally in the government schools, because that's generally where the disadvantage is, I don't see why one can't solve this problem. Now, will you solve it 100%? I doubt that, but you can certainly do better than where we are today,” says David.
Tune in for this thoughtful conversation about passion, policy and possibility – with young people and their potential at the heart of it.
Conversations highlights
David talks to Doug about:
- [1:04] His most memorable education moment
- [3:40] What he learned from the landmark funding review and what stayed with him
- [6:48] His reflections on solving educational inequality
- [8:44] The recent agreement to lift public school funding to the full amount recommended by his review
- [11:56] Practical ways to help young people of all backgrounds thrive in tertiary education
- [15:49] Advice for young people on pursuing a fulfilling career
- [18:54] Boosting philanthropy in Australia and what inspires his own philanthropy
- [21:52] What keeps him hopeful in a time of change
Watch the full conversation below via YouTube or listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
