The PM is determined to sign up more states and territories to her schools funding reforms. Source: AAP
THE federal government has Queensland in its sights as it seeks to sign up another conservative state to its $14.5 billion schools funding package, following its success with NSW.
As Prime Minister Julia Gillard visited Rockhampton on Wednesday to woo voters in the Liberal National Party-led state with more federal money for an ageing highway, she pointed to NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell's schools decision.
"Let's be very frank here ... a conservative premier has found what is on the table acceptable for the children in his schools," Ms Gillard told ABC radio.
The Liberal NSW government on Tuesday signed up to the schools plan, earning itself $3.7 billion in federal money, leaving the other states and territories under pressure to accept a deal ahead of a June 30 federal deadline.
Treasurer Wayne Swan stepped up the pressure by accusing Queensland Premier Campbell Newman of bowing to federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, who could become Australia's new prime minister in September.
"What the premier of Queensland ought to do is put the kids of Queensland first, not bow down to the interests of Tony Abbott," Mr Swan said.
Ms Gillard is awaiting a letter from Mr Newman outlining the state's position.
A spokeswoman for Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said the state hoped Ms Gillard "can meet us halfway".
Under the current offer, Queensland's total funding would be $3.8 billion, with the federal government kicking in 65 per cent.
If Queensland signs, Ms Gillard will be more than halfway to getting national agreement on her schools funding plan, given all of the Labor states are expected to agree.
That would leave Victoria, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, which continue to argue their deals aren't up to scratch.
Victorian Premier Denis Napthine planned to speak to Ms Gillard on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Labor has offered $4.1 billion in federal funding to upgrade the ageing Bruce Highway in the Labor-held Queensland seat of Capricornia, which is under threat from the Liberals ahead of the September federal election.
Ms Gillard says the "huge" 10-year funding commitment is four times more than what the Howard government spent on the notoriously dangerous road over a similar period.
"Federal Labor understands that infrastructure matters," she said in a statement.
The federal money is conditional on Queensland agreeing to stump up $1 billion for the project, under current arrangements for federal infrastructure projects.
"It's over to Premier Newman," Ms Gillard told reporters in Rockhampton.
But Queensland Transport Minister Scott Emerson said the offer was already expected as part of the usual 80-20 federal-state funding split.
"New funding, not recycled announcements, ahead of this year's federal election will be the key to delivering for one of Queensland's most notorious national roads," Mr Emerson said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Mr Abbott again accused Labor of making spending promises it couldn't keep.
"Every day we have government ministers announcing that there is pressure on the revenue, and every day this government announces more multibillion-dollar spending initiatives," he told reporters in Melbourne.
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