Lisa Chesters (Bendigo, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today in this chamber I wear a brooch—a brooch that I know does not have the same monetary value as quite a bit of the bling that we have seen in this place, but it is priceless. This particular brooch has been made by NETschool students. Who are NETschool students? They are students who do not fit into mainstream schooling. They are students who, if it was not for NETschool, would not be engaged in schooling. They are students who, through their arts program, participated in the making of these brooches, as part of an art exhibition. This exhibition was successful at the recent Bendigo show, taking out first prize in both the fashion and school awards.

Despite the success of this program and of these students continuing to be engaged in schooling, the program is under threat. It is under threat because this government has cut funding—the Gonski funding. This is how schools in the area of the Bendigo electorate, as well as a number of other regional areas, help to fund these programs—school programs that ensure that young people not engaged in school get back enrolled in school and stay in education. Gonski funding, or equity funding, in my state is critical to keeping these young people involved in school.

I call on the government to restore the Gonski funding. Put it back! Give it back to the students of NETschool.