Treasurer Wayne Swan has accused Opposition Leader Tony Abbott of inciting Liberal states to undermine the Government's school funding reform.

Mr Swan's comments come after Queensland and Victoria announced they intend to reject the Gonski funding model in favour of their own plans.

In a speech in Sydney last night, Mr Swan said the Gonski reform was designed by non-political people with the intention of advancing the national interest.

Under the plan, each school would receive funding based on how many students are enrolled, with extra loadings for educational disadvantage, including students with poor English skills, disabilities or geographical distance.

Mr Swan urged Mr Abbott to put negative politics aside and support the funding model.

"Tony Abbott has a big choice to make: between his own political interest and the interests of Australia's children," he said.

"My message to Mr Abbott tonight is simple: the Gonski reforms have been designed by non-political people in a spirit of goodwill, with the intention of advancing the national interest.

"So put the negative politics aside, do the right thing by the generation of tomorrow, and stop inciting the Liberal states to undermine the schools agreement to the detriment of their states' children."

The funding overhaul would cost an extra $6.5 billion nationally, although there is no detail yet on how that bill would be split between the Commonwealth and the states.

On Thursday, Queensland Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said the state would develop its own funding model.

Mr Langbroek argued that school outcomes had not improved despite increased Federal Government funding over recent years.

Victoria has also said it plans to implement its own scheme, which ensures disadvantaged students and those with a disability are funded individually.

Australian republic

Mr Swan also used his speech to again call for a national debate on becoming a republic.

He argues it is absurd that under the constitution, no Australian will ever be the nation's head of state.

"Simply put, I don't believe in inherited privilege. It runs counter to the Labor philosophy," he said.

"The very idea of a title taken by birth right runs completely at odds with the value of achievement based on merit.

"So I do think the time has come that we renew a respectful national conversation about us moving to become an Australian republic."

Last month, Mr Swan wrote an opinion piece for Fairfax newspapers lamenting the fact that the republican debate had fallen off the agenda over the past decade.

He says it is clear constitutional reform will not happen overnight but added it was the right time for Australia to re-visit its relationship with Britain.

"After a long decade of inertia on this matter, I do believe the time has come to revisit our relationship with Britain on the cusp of the Asian century," he said.