is because we know that more autonomy leads to better outcomes. As the UK schools white paper in 2010 said:

Across the world, the case for the benefits of school autonomy has been established beyond doubt.

The OECD said, 'PISA shows a clear relationship between learning outcomes and the relative autonomy of schools.' The Gonski report, often quoted, says:

… school leaders who are able to make decisions, including decisions about hiring staff and over the school budget, do well in terms of student achievement…

So even the bible for the Labor Party, the David Gonski report, endorses more autonomy in schools. It is just another one of the feathers in the cap of this government after a full year in office.