The federal government top up is 10 times the amount of money that the Catholic sector actually needs, a Grattan Institute report reveals.

Mr Sciffer lashed out at New England MP Barnaby Joyce’s support for the so-called “slush fund”.

“We had agreement across all sectors of education on the Gonski reforms that we would have funding that is sector blind and supports every child – now we’re back at war with each other because of this misuse of a federal election,” he said.

“I think it’s very disappointing that they’ve totally ignored public schools.

“It shows Barnaby Joyce is out of touch with the electorate, I don’t think he cares about the majority of families in his electorate who attend public schools.”

The funds are part of a $4.6 billion injection into private schools designed to keep fees low.

The government has indicated it wants the money to flow to rural and regional schools, especially those affected by drought – but hasn’t mandated it.

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The funding will provide a flexible way to target extra support for schools in the non-government sector, a spokesman for Mr Joyce said.

“The key recommendation will see funding to non-state schools based on using a direct income measure to determine the capacity of a school community to contribute to their school,” he said.

New England Catholic Schools director Chris Smythe supports the funding, provided it goes to regional students.

“We need more funds to overcome the disadvantage of regional and rural Australia,” he said.

“We won’t be able to lower fees, ours will continue to rise.

“We’re still concerned the rate at which is will increase may not be at the level needed to provide quality education.”

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