Jodie Campbell (Bass, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to add my voice to those who have spoken in support of the Higher Education Support Amendment (2008 Budget Measures) Bill 2008. Labor promised the Australian people an education revolution, and that is exactly what this legislation sets about delivering. My electorate of Bass is one in which the University of Tasmania plays an integral role—and, Minister Gillard, I thank you for your continued support. It is a place not only of higher learning but also of employment. It is at the heart of many cultural aspects of northern Tasmania. I am pleased also to say that it is one of 38 institutions specifically targeted to receive increased funding throughout the implementation of this legislation.

The Rudd government has allocated $500 million through the Better Universities Renewal Fund—a fund in which the University of Tasmania will share. Together with the Rudd government’s Education Investment Fund, it is reshaping education in this country. It is yet another example of this government following through on the commitments it made to the community before the last election. The incentives which are being introduced to encourage the study of maths and science and early childhood education—

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