Sarah Henderson (Corangamite, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It was my great pleasure to meet with Grade 6 students of Bellbrae Primary School here in Parliament House this morning. It's a terrific reminder of the massive boost in funding our government is delivering to schools across Corangamite and the nation. We're delivering record schools funding—an extra $23.5 billion over 10 years under our Gonski 2.0 plan. Students most in need, such as those in regional and disadvantaged areas, will receive more funding and sooner. Bellbrae will receive a 57 per cent increase in Commonwealth funding over 10 years. It's a pity the member for Corio is not capable of telling the truth about this issue. In true form, he's once again misled the Geelong Advertiser. Prior to the 2013 federal election, the Liberals committed to the first four years of Labor's school funding model on a unity ticket, and that's what we have delivered. There was no broken pre-election pledge, as Mr Marles claims. Labor's figures were pie in the sky and never delivered. Across the Corangamite and Corio electorates, funding for government and independent schools will increase by $24.3 million in 2021 and another $66 million in 2027. I'm pleased that the concerns of the Catholic schools sector are being addressed. Shame on the member for Corio for voting against this massive funding boost for his schools.