The Australian Education Union has welcomed the incoming Albanese Labor Government.

Federal President Correna Haythorpe said the AEU was looking forward to working with Prime Minister elect Anthony Albanese and the new Labor government to address the Coalition government’s decade of public education neglect.

“The outgoing Coalition government has been systematically undermining public schools, preschools and TAFE for almost a decade,” she said.

“This is a vote of confidence in preschools, public schools and TAFE, and it’s a vote of confidence in the fundamental principle of equity in education.

“We look forward to working with the new government to deliver their TAFE funding commitments, to expand universal access to preschool to three- year-olds and to bring public school funding up to a minimum of 100 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) as soon as possible.”

The SRS, introduced in 2012 as part of the Gonski reforms, is an estimate of how much public funding a school needs to meet its students’ educational needs.

“The National Schools Reform Agreement between the federal and the state and territory governments determines their funding commitments to schools and is due for renewal next year,” Ms Haythorpe said.

“It’s an opportunity for the Labor government to right the Morrison Government’s wrongs and contribute the federal government’s fair share of funding to Australia’s public schools.

“Preschools, public schools and TAFE must be provided with the resources and policy settings to ensure that a high-quality education is delivered for all, regardless of their background or circumstances.

“We look forward to working with the Albanese Government as they implement their election commitments.”