LaborsYour Child Our Futureeducation plan will ensure that children in schools across the Illawarra, Southern Highlands and South Coast benefit from additional funding that will go where it is needed most.

Speaking at a forum on school funding, Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek joined Illawarra MPs Sharon Bird and Stephen Jones and Labors candidate for Gilmore Fiona Phillips in outlining Labors vision for education.

Tanya Plibersek said that only Labor was dedicated to delivering the Gonski reforms on-time and in-full.

Under our plan principals and teachers will have the support they need to improve the education of all students regardless of where they live, Tanya Plibersek said.

This will mean every opportunity, for every child, in every school.

Earlier this week, Labor announced that we will invest $1.8 billion in rural and regional schools - to help close the education gap between kids who are growing up in the city and kids who are growing up in the country.

It will help the kids that are falling behind catch up, and help gifted and talented kids extend themselves.

Sharon Bird said that the Government could never be trusted on schools.

The education of our young people is too important to leave to the Liberals, they plan to cut $29 billion from our classrooms over the next ten years.

The lottery of where you live will determine what kind of education you receive.

Stephen Jones said that giving students the best possible start to their education would boost the fortunes of the region.

A strong economic future starts with young people preparing for high-skill and high-wage jobs. If all schools in the region are funded fairly students can take advantage of a great education and the entire community will benefit.

"People looking for the difference between Labor and the Liberals on schools need to remember one number - $77 million. That's the extra money that will flow to schools in this region under our plan. That means more teachers, more resources and better learning for our kids."

Fiona Phillips said that Labors transparent school funding model would mean that a world-class education is available to all.

The South Coast has a growing number of unemployed young people and many of them left school early because they were disengaged. Lets change that, lets give every student the best possible chance.