John Howard (Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

The basis on which the Leader of the Opposition asked the question is wrong because, whereas some years ago Austudy assistance was included in the education provision, it is no longer the case, and that gives a radically different outcome. While I am on my feet, can I remind the Leader of the Opposition that, when the government came to power, it inherited a $10 billion annual deficit and a $96 billion debt. As a consequence of that, it was necessary for us to make very significant spending reductions in our first budget. I can well remember that at the time I resolved that the only areas that would be quarantined from expenditure reductions were those relating to essential income support and defence and that every other area of the budget, because of the profligacy and the irresponsibility of the Australian Labor Party, had to bear its share of cuts. So that explains why some decisions were made in 1996.

But can I just say to the Leader of the Opposition that this groundbreaking historic commitment of $5 billion into the Higher Education Endowment Fund represents a genuine education revolution. This is an education revolution of which this country can be very proud. It reaches not only into universities but into technical education and schools. The Commonwealth is picking up the ball dropped in many areas by state governments.

I say to the Leader of the Opposition that the parents of Australia actually believe that, when their children leave school, they ought to be able to read and write and add up. They think those basics of education ought to be delivered by the education systems, which are the responsibility of the states. We are only too happy to plug the gaps that are emerging. That is why we have introduced this outstanding across-the-board voucher system—a voucher of $700 a year to address literacy and numeracy requirements. It is a wonderful provision and it is a wonderful earnest of this government’s long-term commitment to the education future for all Australians.

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