Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I seek the indulgence of the chair to add to an answer.

Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Indulgence is granted.

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I seek to add to the answer I gave to the question from the member for Barker. The member for Barker raised with me the National School Pride Program money provided to Smithfield Plains High School and to Gepps Cross. I can inform the member that the money is being spent on equipment and refurbishments that will be transferred to the new school sites. We have an agreement with the South Australian government to that effect.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I can see that the member for Barker thinks it is funny, but I doubt that the school communities that are benefiting from this expenditure think it is funny that he comes into this House and makes incorrect claims about the work at the schools. I trust that the member for Barker will have the simple decency to write a letter of apology to the principals of each of the schools. And I trust that every member of the opposition that has howled and catcalled during these answers has the decency to co-sign the letter. While they are at it, the Leader of the Opposition might want to apologise to all of Australia for being opposed to this expenditure to support schools and support jobs.