Cassandra Fernando (Holt, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Education is the foundation of our society. It is the key that unlocks opportunity, prosperity and a better future for all Australians. Labor is strengthening our education system from the ground up. Since coming to government, we have taken significant steps to invest in education at every level. We have expanded access to early childhood education, making it more affordable for families and saving the average family over $2,700 per year. We have supported the early childhood workforce to attract and retain the best educators by providing these staff a 15 per cent wage increase. We have invested in our universities to ensure they remain world-class institutions. We have provided tens of thousands of Australians with free TAFE as part of a multibillion-dollar skills agreement, helping more people gain the qualifications they need for secure, well-paying jobs.

But our commitment does not stop there. We have secured one of the largest increases in public school funding in Australia's history, because every child, no matter their background or postcode, deserves a high-quality public education. Under this new agreement, the Commonwealth will provide an additional five per cent of the schooling resource standard to Victorian public schools, which will increase funding by $2.5 billion over 10 years. This is the largest-ever investment in Victorian public schools by the Australian government.

This isn't just about more money. What truly matters is what funding delivers for our students and teachers. As Education Minister Jason Clare has said, this agreement will provide more individualised support for students who need extra help, a commitment to evidence based teaching practices that are proven to improve literacy and numeracy, and an increase in mental health support in schools to ensure students have the wellbeing services they need to thrive. This agreement will also include reforms to help students catch up and finish school. This includes a year 1 phonics and early numeracy check to identify students who need additional support, because the earlier we intervene, the better their outcomes. It also includes initiatives to support training teachers. With this investment, we hope to increase the number of students who graduate year 12 and increase the proportion of students achieving strong and exceeding skill levels in reading and numeracy, and we hope to boost student attendance and provide better support and training for teachers.

Labor is building Australia's education system from the ground up. From strengthening child care all the way through to university, we know how important a strong education system is for our country. The Victorian school funding agreement will mean an extra $2.5 billion for Victorian public primary and secondary schools over the next 10 years. By 2034, Victorian public schools will be fully funded for the first time in history. That means millions of extra dollars for schools in Hampton Park, Lyndhurst, Lynbrook, Narre Warren South, Clyde, Cranbourne, Botanic Ridge, Devon Meadows and Pearcedale, ensuring that students in Holt will receive the education that they deserve. An extra $2.5 billion for Victorian public schools may sound like a lot, but this is not just spending. This is an investment—an investment in our children, an investment in our workforce and an investment in the future of our country.

Labor knows a strong and well-funded public education system does not just benefit students; it benefits the entire nation. A child who receives a great education grows up to be a skilled worker and a thoughtful citizen. A strong education system means a strong economy, a fairer society and a future where no child is left behind. This is the future Labor is building. This is the future this government is delivering. And this is why we will always invest in our kids, our schools and our great nation.

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