Tracey Roberts (Pearce, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Today I stand before you to share a vision that will shape the future of our nation—a vision of an education system that is not only better but also fairer for all students, regardless of their background or circumstances. The Albanese Labor government is determined to transform our education system and ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed. Our commitment to education is demonstrated by our pledge of an unprecedented $16 billion in additional funding for public schools.

The Albanese Labor government is working closely with states and territories to bring every school to a hundred per cent of its fair funding level through the better and fairer schools agreement. In collaboration, we can ensure that every student, regardless of where they live, receives the support they need to thrive. As our federal Minister for Education has emphasised, funding is critical, but so is what it is spent on. The better and fairer schools agreement will tie funding to reforms designed to improve student outcomes, making sure that every dollar spent has a meaningful impact.

I thank the member for Griffith for raising public school infrastructure, and I reiterate that, in addition to this substantial funding increase, the Albanese Labor government is also investing more than $284 million for school infrastructure through the Schools Upgrade Fund.

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This investment will create better learning environments, ensuring our schools have the facilities they need to support student success.

In 2024, Commonwealth funding for education has grown from $27.8 billion to $29.2 billion—a 4.9 per cent increase from 2023—specifically for public schools. This includes a rise from $10.8 billion to $11.3 billion. These numbers reflect our unwavering commitment to ensuring that every student has access to quality education. Currently we are negotiating the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement with states and territories. This agreement is a crucial opportunity to ensure that Commonwealth funding is tied to meaningful reform. As Minister Clare has pointed out, almost every new job created in today's world will require students to finish school and pursue further education. This is why the Albanese Labor government is determined to support students from all backgrounds, helping them to catch up, keep up and stay in school.

When it comes to increasing funding for public schools, we have $16 billion on the table. Unlike others who might prefer a blank-cheque approach, we are focused on funding the most disadvantaged schools first and turning that funding into effective reforms. These reforms will help students catch up, keep up and complete their education, and education ministers have agreed that the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement will prioritise three key areas: equity and excellence, wellbeing for learning and engagement, and a strong, sustainable workforce. Ensuring every student has the opportunity to fulfil their potential is beneficial not only for them but also for our country. By tying funding to reform, we can make our education system better and fairer, closing the education gap in the process.

This is not just an investment in education; it is an investment in the future of our nation. We are making significant progress towards our commitment to achieving 100 per cent fair funding for every school. The Western Australian and Northern Territory governments have already signed statements of intent to reach this goal. For Western Australia, this means an additional $774.4 million dollars in public school funding from 2025 to 2029, ensuring that the most disadvantaged schools are fully funded first. By 2026 every child in Western Australia will attend a fully funded school. Similarly, the federal and Northern Territory governments have agreed to increase funding for all public schools in the Northern Territory to 100 per cent of the school resource standard by 2029. The Australian government will invest in an additional $73.7 million for 2025 to 2029, with the Northern Territory government contributing at least an additional $350 million. This agreement prioritises the most disadvantaged schools and increases the Commonwealth's share of funding from 20 per cent to 40 per cent by 2029.

The coalition's legacy in education has been one of widening gaps and declining outcomes. The Productivity Commission found that, under the coalition's schools agreement, the equity gap in schools widened significantly. Disadvantaged school students were three times more likely to fall behind, with 86,000 students not meeting basic literacy or numeracy standards. Attendance rates fell, high school completion rates declined, teacher shortages worsened and the gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students grew.

Our vision is clear: by working together and committing to these reforms, the government, educators, parents and the community can make our education system better and fairer. (Time expired)

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