Okay Pulsers a quick wrap up:
1. in a nutshell, nothing happened on education;
2. the PM had been hoping for some agreement on changed funding arrangements but no dice;
3. this means the deadline shifts to June 30;
4. but there was agreement between the federal and ACT governments on the national disability insurance scheme.
Thanks, as always, to photographer Andrew Meares and to readers.
See you soon.
The other big political story of the day is the demotion of a senior staff member of the leader of the Opposition, Tony Abbott.
Mark Roberts was, until today, director of policy.
That was before he made threatening gestures to the head of an indigenous charity as a function last night.
The PM has declined to comment on the issue but breaking news reporter, Dan Harrison, has the rundown on what happened.
One by one the premiers and chief ministers gave their views on the proposed education funding changes.
There were a few supportive platitudes (ACT, South Australia and Tasmania) but not one jurisdiction has signed on.
June 30 is ten weeks away.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard at COAG at Parliament House in Canberra Photo: Andrew Meares
PM says if there is no agreement by June 30 on education then the existing "Howard era" funding arrangements will continue.
Ms Gillard says there will be no further COAG meeting before then.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard and State Premiers and Chief Ministers at COAG at Parliament House in Canberra on Friday 19 April 2013. Photo: Andrew Meares Photo: Andrew Meares
Bit of a change from this morning. See Andrew Meares' photo at the 3.34pm post for contrast.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard and State Premiers and Chief Ministers at COAG including Colin Barnett WA Barry O'Farrell NSW Denis Napthine Vic and Campbell Newman Qld at Parliament House in Canberra Photo: Andrew Meares
NT Chief Minister Adam Giles says it's a case of "death or Siberia" for his territory when it comes to education.
I'm not sure what that means but I think it's that he is not all that keen on Ms Gillard's proposal.
WA Premier Colin Barnett outlines his reasons for not signing on to the education package.
Firstly, he says, WA is already spending large amounts of money on education so the money is not his concern.
Secondly, Mr Barnett is worried that the change in funding arrangements would give greater weight to Catholic and independent schools.
(This was a concern also raised by Tasmania in during the negotiations as outlined in the story I provided a link to in the 3.38pm post.)
Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett arrives for COAG at Parliament House in Canberra Photo: Andrew Meares
A reporter asks if there could be a "show of hands" as to which premiers believe an education agreement will be reached by June 30.
The PM quickly jumps in to say: "We don't do shows of hands".
And Queensland will not go it alone when it comes to royal succession.
(Yes they were thinking they might - you can read that background here.)
But Ms Gillard seems particularly pleased that all states and territories will defer to the Commonwealth on the issue of laws that would allow the royal line of succession to no longer favour boys.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard and State Premiers and Chief Ministers at COAG including Colin Barnett WA Barry O'Farrell NSW Denis Napthine Vic and Campbell Newman Qld at Parliament House in Canberra on Friday 19 April 2013. Photo: Andrew Meares Photo: Andrew Meares
But no agreement on education funding.
"No jurisdiction was in a position to sign on today," Ms Gillard says.
But she reminds first ministers (shorthand for premiers and chief ministers) that there are ten weeks until the funding arrangement runs out.
Pleasure doing business with you.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard and ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher signed the NDIS agreement at COAG at Parliament House in Canberra on Friday Photo: Andrew Meares
And here we go.
The PM is beginning by outlining where discussions to do with the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
Ms Gillard says the scheme is "the major change that we all want to see for our nation".
As already announced the ACT is now a fully signed up and funded measure.
Ms Gillard says she reached agreement with the NT for a launch site for the scheme which will test how it works in a remote area.
All governments agreed to the principles that will underpin the scheme.
One thing we do know is that the federal and ACT governments have reached agreement for a full roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in the territory.
Okay it's an agreement between two Labor leaders and in a small area but this is excellent news for the 5000 people living with significant or profound disabilities who will be able to benefit from the scheme from July 2016.
Snaps.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard with NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell and ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher at COAG at Parliament House in Canberra Photo: Andrew Meares
Perhaps the most contentious item on the agenda was the package of education reforms known to those inside the beltway as Gonski.
Chief political correspondent Mark Kenny and breaking news reporter Daniel Hurst filed this report which indicates there has been no agreement on that front.
Have a little read through while we wait for the microphones to be switched on and the premiers and chief ministers to decide who gets to sit where.
It's all fun and games until someone loses a billion dollars or so.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard with NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell at COAG at Parliament House in Canberra Photo: Andrew Meares
If only it weren't for him.
Queensland Premier Campbell Newman arrives for COAG at Parliament House in Canberra Photo: Andrew Meares
But it's good to start the day in an optimistic frame of mind.
Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard arrives for COAG at Parliament House in Canberra Photo: Andrew Meares
The accepted wisdom when it comes to COAG (more formally known as the Council of Australian Governments) is that one should never stand between the premiers and a bucketful of money.
But that was in more peaceful days.
Many of the premiers arrived at today's meeting not all that happy with the deal the PM, Julia Gillard, put on the table.
In about ten minutes' time we'll find out what happened.
Join us for a mini Pulse.
