Tony Abbott announces $1billion about-face on school funding to end claims of broken election promises PRIME Minister Tony Abbott has announced a $1 billion about-face on school funding to end damaging claims he was breaking an election promise. Just days after the Coalition said it would rip-up Labor's school funding system because it was a "shambles" and "un-implementable," it has bowed to pressure from Victoria and NSW to keep their four-year deals. Mr Abbott insisted that unlike Labor's raft of broken promises he was "keeping faith" with voters. It's the latest switch by the Government. Four months ago it described the so-called Gonski package as a con because it would cost too much. PM Tony Abbott and Education Minister Christopher Pyne defend the Government's stand on school funding at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. On the eve of the election Mr Abbott said he was on a "unity ticket" with Labor on funding and there would be no surprises and no excuses. Last week Education Minister Christopher Pyne said money would only be honoured for next year and would be renegotiated from 2015. He blamed former minister Bill Shorten for $1.2 billion earmarked for Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory being moved out of the Budget because they did not sign up before the election. Victoria and NSW led a revolt when it appeared they might receive less than promised and yesterday Mr Abbott stepped in to fix the problem. There'll be full funding certainty over the next four years. This is a Government which is determined to clean up Labor's mess and to keep its commitments," he said. He said the $1.2 billion would be found by making "appropriate savings" but they have not been revealed. Victorian Education Minister Martin Dixon said schools would have greater certainty over the next four years but vowed to keep pushing for the full six-year deal. "It's shown it's been well worth the fight," Mr Dixon said. I'm going to see it right through to the last round. Mr Abbott said the states wish to get Labor's big spending for years five and six under the deal was "pie in the sky." Victoria's deal requires it to put in extra money but WA and Queensland's does not. Mr Abbott said it would be "poor form for the states to reduce their funding" but he would not micro-manage them. Mr Pyne said he wanted the debate to focus on "quality and standards" such as teacher quality, more local decision making, the curriculum and parent involvement.