The Victorian government says it won't sign the federal government's school funding deal while it short-changes students, despite it "putting a gun to our head".
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Premier Daniel Andrews on Monday said he would not sign up to Gonski 2.0, as Catholic and independent schools were funded at 100 per cent while government schools received 95 per cent.
"Don't think Victoria is going to be signing up to any dud multi-year deal that short-changes our kids. We just won't do it," he said, after writing a letter to Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
"It is over to them. If they have got a counter-offer to make, if they have got another way forward, they should put that to us and we will look at that in good faith."
Education Minister James Merlino said Mr Morrison's government had offered an unfair deal.
"The only negotiating tactic from the Morrison minority government is slapping down a deal on the table that is unfair to schools, putting a gun to our head, saying 'sign it or we won't flow funding'," he told reporters.
"It has got to be a fair funding agreement for all Victorians students at all Victorian schools."
Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan told ABC radio that Victoria is being offered "record funding" and he hadn't been able to discuss it with Mr Merlino.
"It's disappointing that James Merlino will not return calls, won't even engage. Our Victorian school students just deserve better than that," he said.
The exchange comes ahead of Wednesday's Council of Australian Governments meeting in which education is expected to be a key agenda item.
Australian Associated Press