There is a lot at stake over the next few months in the countdown to the Gonski panel's final advice on schools funding. That advice, and the Government’s response, could determine the long-term future of schooling across Australia and, in particular, the nature and quality of public schooling in this country.

The purpose of this paper is to offer a constructive contribution to this most difficult of policy areas. While ambitious in its scope and operation, the advice is in keeping with the potential offered by the review for a genuinely comprehensive and sustainable reform of schools funding for all schools.

• achieving a mature partnership between Commonwealth and State governments
• putting public schooling back at the centre of national priorities and agreementsadopting national target
• resource standards for schools to guide planning for greater public investment
• using public funds to narrow resource gaps between schools that cannot be justified on educational grounds
• protecting public investment against erosion through inflation
• consolidating funding in the interests of efficiency and effectiveness.

Dr Jim McMorrow is honorary associate Professor of Education, Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Sydney. His previous career included First Assistant Commissioner, Commonwealth Schools Commission and Deputy Director‐General, NSW Department of Education and Training.