PM calls on Newman to make tough choice

Julia Gillard has unveiled details of Labor's school improvement plan.

PRIME Minister Julia Gillard says it's time Queensland's government made some tough choices to put the state's school children first.

Ms Gillard has announced a $14.5 billion boost to school funding over the next six years.

The states will have to pay about a third of that amount.

Queensland Premier Campbell Newman claims the state doesn't have enough money to fund the reforms.

But Ms Gillard says the federal government has made a good offer and now it's down to the Queensland government "and the budget choices it's prepared to make".

"You live in a world of tough choices. We've made some to put our kids first. I'm obviously asking Premier Newman to do the same," she told ABC radio.

"That is to make sure that every child goes to a school that is properly resourced and that we get the school funding system right for generations to come.

"Our competitors are improving their schools. If we just sit and let them get in front then that only ends one way ... with us having a weaker economy and less ability to have the high-skilled, high-paid jobs of the future."

Queensland Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said he was unsure whether the funding would have a positive impact on the state's schools.

"As a parent I'm confused, I'm sure teachers and students and principals are confused as well," he said.

"That's something we need to clarify, to make sure that our worse-off schools do not continue to be worse off under a standard that the federal government set originally."

Earlier, Premier Campbell Newman dismissed the Gonski scheme saying Queensland can't afford $1 billion more for education without cuts elsewhere.

Reacting to the Prime Minister's announcement of "two-for-one" funding for the Gonski reforms, Mr Newman called for the scheme to be put on hold until after the September federal election.

Julia Gillard promised to spend an extra $14.5 billion over six years to build a "world-leading education system", but said a third of the money would have to come from the states.

Under the plan, Queensland schools would receive an extra $3.8 billion in that period, of which about $1.3 billion would come from the state government.

Mr Newman said it was unreasonable for the Prime Minister to say "you have to spend money on this".

"I don't see where our money will come from without cuts to something else," the Premier said.

"I can't believe they're going to find the money, because they don't have it. The whole thing should be held in the balance until there's a federal election."

Cuts: Gonksi slams school funding reform

He also took a shot at Ms Gillard for revealing more details of her education plan in newspapers without any consultation with his government.

"I've got nothing in writing from them. Here I am, Premier of the State, you're asking me questions about this great announcement and I don't have a letter from the Prime Minister," Mr Newman said.

The issue will be the main topic of discussion at Friday's Council of Australian Governments meeting in Canberra, which Mr Newman will attend.

Ms Gillard warned the states needed to agree to her plan by June 30 or have their current federal funding maintained, at levels that were decreasing each year due to indexation.

Last night on Twitter, Mr Newman appeared set for a fight at COAG.

"I am amazed by reporting on Gonski - somehow, magically the federal govt has a surplus and the money to pay. Let's see at budget time," he tweeted.

Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said the Premier "would not be bullied into signing up to a deal that left Queensland students worse off".

"From what we understand, the Gillard Government has adjusted back the rate of indexation for the schools that are currently below the schools resource standard," Mr Langbroek said.

"That will mean it will take longer for these schools to catch up to the standard that the Gillard Government is required for our children to succeed at school."

Queensland Catholic Education Commission executive director Mike Byrne said it appeared the funding arrangements being proposed by the Prime Minister would "widen the gap in resourcing between Catholic and government schools".

"Any reduction in funding comparative to government schools will place pressure on school fees and could force families out of Catholic schools," Mr Byrne said.

"This would ultimately cost government more money."

 - additional reporting by AAP

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Airlines get tough on flying hoons

Airlines are cracking down on unruly travellers who disturb other passengers. Source: Supplied

THE increased cost of aviation fuel and safety concerns has helped trigger a "zero-tolerance" attitude by airlines to drunken, unruly or aggressive passengers.

As a result, airlines will enforce a policy of pursuing tens of thousands of dollars from offenders if flights have to be delayed or diverted.

Qantas in the past year has chased more than $140,000 in fuel and delay costs from two passengers whose antics forced flight diversions. The carrier bans about 10 people a year from its aircraft for short-to-indefinite periods, and more are expected as the airline industry deals with higher numbers of violent or erratic passengers.

Australian Federal Police in the past year responded to 900 incidents of unruly passengers on aircraft and in airports, including alcohol-induced rants and abuse of or assault on air crew, AFP national aviation manager Assistant Commissioner Shane Connelly said.

"While diversions because of a disruptive passenger are very rare, they can be extremely costly," Qantas's Andrew McGinnes said.

Qantas is pursuing West Australian Justin Richard Cooke, 34, for $120,000 after his allegedly aggressive and drunken behaviour in December forced flight QF21, from Sydney to Tokyo, to dump fuel and land at Cairns in order to eject him.

New Zealand grandmother Frances Lillian Macaskill, 58, was fined $3500, and ordered in June by Melbourne Magistrates' Court to pay Qantas $18,245, after her alcohol-fuelled rampage on a Wellington-bound jet forced its return to Tullamarine.

Mr Connelly warned people faced up to 10 years' jail for assaulting crew or endangering an aircraft.

He said airlines were now prepared to pursue costs associated with lost fuel and time. "It's a diversion of our resources from more meaningful crime and counter-terrorism operations," Mr Connelly said.

"What people need to be aware of is that if an aircraft is to be diverted because the captain deems it is no longer safe to continue because of the behaviour of a passenger, there are consequences.

"It costs the airline tens of thousands of dollars."

Mr Connelly said in his 3 1/2 years as national aviation manager he had seen only two cases where fuel costs were pursued - both in the past 12 months - suggesting airlines were now more prepared to chase costs.

mark.dunn@news.com.au

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Airlines get tough on flying hoons

Airlines are cracking down on unruly travellers who disturb other passengers. Source: Supplied

THE increased cost of aviation fuel and safety concerns has helped trigger a "zero-tolerance" attitude by airlines to drunken, unruly or aggressive passengers.

As a result, airlines will enforce a policy of pursuing tens of thousands of dollars from offenders if flights have to be delayed or diverted.

Qantas in the past year has chased more than $140,000 in fuel and delay costs from two passengers whose antics forced flight diversions. The carrier bans about 10 people a year from its aircraft for short-to-indefinite periods, and more are expected as the airline industry deals with higher numbers of violent or erratic passengers.

Australian Federal Police in the past year responded to 900 incidents of unruly passengers on aircraft and in airports, including alcohol-induced rants and abuse of or assault on air crew, AFP national aviation manager Assistant Commissioner Shane Connelly said.

"While diversions because of a disruptive passenger are very rare, they can be extremely costly," Qantas's Andrew McGinnes said.

Qantas is pursuing West Australian Justin Richard Cooke, 34, for $120,000 after his allegedly aggressive and drunken behaviour in December forced flight QF21, from Sydney to Tokyo, to dump fuel and land at Cairns in order to eject him.

New Zealand grandmother Frances Lillian Macaskill, 58, was fined $3500, and ordered in June by Melbourne Magistrates' Court to pay Qantas $18,245, after her alcohol-fuelled rampage on a Wellington-bound jet forced its return to Tullamarine.

Mr Connelly warned people faced up to 10 years' jail for assaulting crew or endangering an aircraft.

He said airlines were now prepared to pursue costs associated with lost fuel and time. "It's a diversion of our resources from more meaningful crime and counter-terrorism operations," Mr Connelly said.

"What people need to be aware of is that if an aircraft is to be diverted because the captain deems it is no longer safe to continue because of the behaviour of a passenger, there are consequences.

"It costs the airline tens of thousands of dollars."

Mr Connelly said in his 3 1/2 years as national aviation manager he had seen only two cases where fuel costs were pursued - both in the past 12 months - suggesting airlines were now more prepared to chase costs.

mark.dunn@news.com.au

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Trainee teachers face tough tests

Education Minister Peter Garrett Mr Garrett says the proposed changes are part of the government's commitment to "raising the quality of teaching at every stage of a teacher's career''. Picture: Kym Smith Source: NewsLocal

ASPIRING teachers would have to perform community work, pass stringent new NAPLAN-style exams - as well as emotional intelligence and aptitude testing - in order to graduate into the nation's classrooms, under a new Federal Government plan.

Labor ministers will today announce sweeping reform to the university admissions and graduation process aimed at improving teacher quality, as part of its National Plan for School Improvement.

From 2016, anyone wishing to enter a teaching degree would be asked to provide a written statement outlining their suitability for a place, as well as undergoing a series of interviews to test whether they have the resilience and emotional intelligence or EQ for the role.

They would also have to demonstrate suitable values and aptitude by providing a portfolio of activities such as coaching a sports team, volunteer work or community involvement.

In order to graduate as teachers they would need to perform in the top 30 per cent of the population in numeracy and literacy tests, which would be part of their course.

Teaching students who failed to meet the benchmark would be offered classes to meet the requirements.

Education Minister Peter Garrett and Tertiary Education Minister Chris Bowen will also announce changes to practicum placements, with a national approach replacing the state-by-state arrangements currently in place.

Qualified teachers who supervise prac placements will also have to meet new training and experience standards.

Mr Garrett said the proposed changes were part of the government's commitment to "raising the quality of teaching at every stage of a teacher's career''.

"Our plan will make sure that only those people who have high levels of literacy and numeracy, a dedication for teaching and a great classroom practice will graduate and enter our schools,'' he said.

"It will mean principals will have confidence in the abilities of their new staff, and parents can be confident that every teacher has gone through a rigorous selection and training process.''

Starting next year, there will also be a review of all teaching courses by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency.

The Government said it was working with universities to ensure the changes were in place by 2016, although it expects some institutions will implement them earlier.

The changes follow increased debate about the impact of teacher quality on student outcomes. The NSW State Government last week set a minimum entry standard into teaching courses of at least 80 per cent in three subjects including English, and called for a numeracy and literacy benchmarks for graduate teachers.

A Productivity Commission report last year found Australian students have fallen behind other OECD countries  despite increased spending per student and falling class sizes  and said more effective teachers would help improve standards.

Professor Scott Prasser, executive director of the public policy institute at Australian Catholic University, said addressing both entry scores and course work was ``a step in the right direction.''

Mr Garrett said attracting the best candidates into teaching was essential to improve education standards.

"We already have thousands of great teachers in our schools. But we can always do more to make sure that everyone entering the profession has the skills, personal capacity, and the passion, to be the best teacher possible,'' Mr Garrett said.

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