Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Acting Prime Minister. New South Wales Nationals Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli said after the government's $80 billion cut from schools and hospitals:

Schools in regional areas, as well as disadvantaged and Aboriginal students, will be the hardest hit.

Acting Prime Minister, when will the Nationals in this parliament stand up for regional Australia? Why do you keep supporting cuts in this budget to regional Australia?

Warren Truss (Wide Bay, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In response to the Leader of the Opposition, let me say the Nationals will always support increases in education expenditure, increases in health expenditure, increases in infrastructure expenditure and increases in rural and regional infrastructure expenditure.

Mr Shorten interjecting—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition has asked his question and he will remain silent.

Warren Truss (Wide Bay, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The reality is this budget delivers for all Australians

Ms Plibersek interjecting—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

And the member for Sydney will put down her prop.

Warren Truss (Wide Bay, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am sure Minister Piccoli will welcome in his own budget the fact that there is an eight per cent increase in education funding this year, eight per cent the following year and eight per cent the year thereafter. That will enable him and the education department of New South Wales to provide services right across New South Wales and to provide the special assistance that is necessary in those schools that need extra help.

Mr Shorten interjecting—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition has asked his question. He will desist.

Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do not think any—

Mrs Bronwyn Bishop (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am not interested in what you think. You will desist.

Warren Truss (Wide Bay, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition simply has to face up to the fact that this government is providing an eight per cent increase in education expenditure this year and eight per cent the following, and eight per cent the following year. That will benefit the students of New South Wales and, indeed, every other state.