West Australian premier Colin Barnett has given a big tick to Tony Abbott's backing of the Better Schools funding program for all states - but will not sign an agreement with him before a federal election.
Mr Abbott on Friday performed a dramatic back-flip by saying any government of his would honour agreements between the states and Labor on more funding for schools, whilst also promising more cash from Canberra for states who hadn't signed up.
That includes Mr Barnett and WA, who has consistently said he did not agree with what he claimed would mean handing over more power in the running of schools to federal bureaucrats.
Reacting to Mr Abbott's announcement, Mr Barnett said he welcomed Mr Abbott's move.
"The major distinction is that a coalition would not seek to take control of management of the schools, and that has been the major obstacle," Mr Barnett said.
"If Tony Abbott can match the dollars but not take control I am very pleased.
"In the future if we get a fair deal for extra funding, and we get a retraction of the control, then we would agree with it."
After butting heads with former PM Julia Gillard over the issue, a meeting with Kevin Rudd seven days ago did little to shift Mr Barnett's position.
And he said in the event of a Labor victory in the coming election he predicted the existing legislation would have to be changed to get him, and the other reluctant states to sign.
"We would not sign up to the current proposals and we would only sign up once the current federal legislation is changed," Mr Barnett said.
"I believe if Labor are to ever get all states to sign up, the legislation that was recently put through by Julia Gillard will need to be radically changed."
