I move that the Senate-

(a) notes recent analysis by Mr Chris Bonnor and Mr Bernie Shepherd, which demonstrated that inequality between the most advantaged and disadvantaged schools has grown since the Gonski Review was completed in 2011;

(b) recognises the Commonwealth Government's decision to proceed with only the first 4 years of the Gonski school funding arrangements falls far short of the investment needed to reverse systemic disadvantage and deepening inequality; and

(c) calls on the Government to prioritise the reduction of inequality in Australian schools.

The Australian Greens have called on the Abbott Government to release the final report of the Australian Curriculum review to end uncertainty for students and teachers.

Australian Greens spokesperson for schools Senator Penny Wright said Education Minister Christopher Pyne had been handed the final report by Kevin Donnelly and Ken Wiltshire last month.

"This review has been highly controversial from the get-go." Senator Wright said. "It was premature and altogether too hasty, but it's time to end the uncertainty.

An overwhelming 86% of Australian parents say that fees are one of their biggest concerns when it comes to getting their children into regular childcare, an Australian Greens poll of over 1000 parents has found.

"Parents from around the country are struggling under the weight of increasing childcare fees and it's time the government acted," the Greens' childcare spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

"More mums and dads are struggling to keep their kids in care because of the cost and that is a very worrying sign.

The Productivity Commission's draft report into the childcare sector shows encouraging signs but more detail is needed to guarantee the best possible outcome for all Australian families, the Australian Greens have said.

"This report is a step in the right direction, but it has clearly shown that a funding boost is essential if the childcare sector is going to meet the needs of Australian families," the Greens' childcare spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

The Australian Greens have reiterated calls for Kevin Donnelly to be sacked from Minister Pyne's curriculum review panel in light of his comments on corporal punishment.

Australian Greens spokesperson for Schools Senator Penny Wright said Mr Donnelly's endorsement of corporal punishment was unacceptable.

"The Australian Greens have always said Mr Donnelly's radical views made him a completely inappropriate person for such a prominent review," Senator Wright said.

A widening split in the National Party over the Gonski school funding reforms has been highlighted by an Australian Greens motion in the Senate today.

Federal Nationals MPs opposed a motion supporting the New South Wales Nationals Annual General Conference vote in favour of the full six years of Gonski funding.

The motion, moved by Australian Greens spokesperson for schools Senator Penny Wright, came as Federal Nationals Senators mocked the Gonski reforms in a Senate Committee report.