Govt needs to rethink schools, levy:Greens

Greens Leader Richard Di Natale says the government has come up with a weak compromise on school funding and an unfair Medicare levy increase.

Richard Di Natale

Richard Di Natale says the government has come up with a weak compromise on school funding. (AAP)

The Turnbull government has yet to woo the Greens in supporting either an increase in the Medicare levy or its new school funding model - two key components in last month's budget.

Greens Leader Richard Di Natale says the government needs to go back to the drawing board on both issues.

While he supports needs-based funding for schools, the government has come up with a weak compromise rather than pursuing an independent resourcing body as recommended under the original Gonski plan.

"We had Labor come in and basically make all these special deals for some of the richest schools who are deciding whether they build an equestrian centre or rowing sheds," Senator Di Natale told ABC television on Sunday.

"We have a government prepared to fix some of those problems with the formula but not put the money it needs."

On the 0.5 per cent increase in Medicare levy to help fully fund the national disability insurance scheme, Senator Di Natale said this was not the fairest way of raising revenue.

He said someone who negatively geared four or five properties and was able to reduce their taxable income would be paying less than someone earning $22,000.

"If the government wants to look at other ways of raising revenue so people on low incomes aren't facing a burden, we will look at that," he said.

If the Greens side with Labor in rejecting both proposals, the government will need the support from a fractious crossbench to pass the Senate.


Share
2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world