A bitter fight about federal education funding is either over $30 billion or absolutely nothing, depending on which political party you believe.

State and territory Labor ministers say Australian schools will be left with a $30 billion black hole from 2018 after the federal government made changes to a six-year Gonski funding deal signed under the previous Labor government.

Education Minister Christopher Pyne. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

But federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne maintains there are no cuts and funding for schools will actually increase over the next four years.

The ministers met to discuss education issues, including funding, in Brisbane on Friday and afterwards it appeared the spat was no closer to a solution.