Gordon Reid (Robertson, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That this House acknowledges the Government's commitment and actions to build a better and fairer education system from early education right through to university, by:

(1) delivering cheaper child care which is making early education and care more affordable for 1.2 million Australian families;

(2) tackling the teacher shortage through the National Teacher Workforce Action Plan;

(3) delivering $275.2 million to schools to improve school infrastructure through the Schools Upgrade Fund;

(4) providing $203.7 million in funding to support student wellbeing across every school in the country through the Student Wellbeing Boost;

(5) working with state and territory governments to get all schools on a path to full and fair funding; and

(6) setting the higher education system up for the future through the Universities Accord, and implementing the priority actions of the accord interim report, which delivers:

(a) an additional 20 new regional university study hubs and 14 suburban university study hubs;

(b) demand driven places for First Nations students from metropolitan areas;

(c) the removal of the unfair 50 per cent pass rule; and

(d) university governance reforms.

It is with great pleasure that I move this motion today to highlight the federal Labor government's commitment to building a better and fairer education system from early education right through to university and TAFE. It is evident from the work that has already been undertaken by our government that we want all Australians to receive the highest quality education from when they are children right through to when they are adults. We in the federal Labor government understand the importance of what a good education can provide: that is, solid foundations that can set you up for a fulfilling and productive life. These visions are what all Labor governments strive for for Australia and its people: a quality education, well-paying jobs and a high quality of living. We are the party that always delivers better funding for education, better pay and conditions for teachers and staff and better outcomes. We leave a legacy, whereas those opposite leave people behind.

I'm proud to be part of a government that is implementing outstanding reforms in the early childhood education and care sector. We know that children thrive when they have access to early childhood education. It sets children up for further learning in primary school and success throughout their lives.

The government's cheaper child care reforms are making a huge difference for families in my community on the Central Coast. Around 6,900 families are now better off because of the changes that we have made to child care. That is more families able to send their children to child care and more children benefitting from these quality services. The government is also working to strengthen early childhood education and care in additional areas. It has tasked the Productivity Commission with facilitating an inquiry to investigate further opportunities to build an affordable and accessible, high-quality and universal early learning system. I look forward to the commission's final recommendations.

Just recently I heard directly from providers, educators and families about the issues affecting child care on the Central Coast at an early childhood education and care forum in Umina Beach that my office hosted. The forum was insightful, with robust discussions about the challenges and complexities of early childhood education and care in the region. Moreover, the forum was an excellent opportunity for participants to familiarise themselves with the ECEC draft report, which is now available for feedback. I look forward to continuing to work closely with local providers, educators and families to help improve the sector.

The federal Labor government is investing in the schools of tomorrow. One form of this investment is the $275.2 million schools upgrade fund. I'm pleased to report to the chamber today that this investment is helping schools purchase equipment, upgrade classrooms and improve outcomes right across the nation. In Robertson, $165,000 has been distributed to six local schools so far, each school receiving $25,000. These schools have been able to purchase items like laptops, iPads and other ICT equipment to help improve learning and learning outcomes. Several schools have also been able to use this funding to upgrade classrooms, refurbish learning spaces and build shade structures.

After a wasted decade under a former Liberal government, this government is taking education seriously again and investing in Australia's future. To increase the level of tertiary education available on the Central Coast, the federal government is working with the University of Newcastle to build a new campus right in the heart of Gosford. I'm super excited to see the future of the University of Newcastle Gosford campus come to fruition. The federal Labor government is investing $18 million towards this $63 million project. This project is truly a game changer for Gosford city, which, when completed, will offer greater tertiary education options for people living across the Central Coast, especially in the health disciplines. It will also mean people living on the coast will have greater opportunities than to have to travel to Sydney or Newcastle to undertake a degree or further study.

This federal Labor government will continue to invest in our nation's education system to make it better and to make it fairer, because this is a government that wants to see all Australians reach their full potential.

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