Celia Hammond (Curtin, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Education. Would the minister outline to the House how the Morrison government's stable and certain budget management has allowed for record investments in schools right throughout Australia, and is the minister aware of any alternative approaches?

Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Curtin for her question. She has 50 schools in her electorate and she's passionate about all of them. I think all members of the House would be interested in this.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm finding it difficult to hear to hear the minister when he's not talking towards the microphone. I appreciate what he's trying do, but I can't hear a word he's saying.

Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Sorry, Mr Speaker; I like looking people in the eye when I'm speaking to them.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I don't mind an interchange, but can I just tell the minister: he might like looking people in the eye, and I know he's very respectful, but people watching on television can't hear a word he's saying.

Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will continue, because I was about to make a very important point. The member for Curtin's—

Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

$100 million from her schools

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Sydney will leave under 94(a).

The member for Sydney then left the chamber.

Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I just waited for it. The member for Curtin's oldest son—

Mr Albanese interjecting—

The Leader of the Opposition might want to just be a little bit quiet here. No, you might, seriously. Joke, laugh and play the clown, but I tell you what: if you keep playing the clown, you won't be in that seat in 12 months time. Zip it; I'm trying to make an important point.

Honourable members interjecting—

Joel Fitzgibbon (Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Resources) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Why are they all so angry?

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Hunter is warned. The level of interjections on my left is far too high. I'll continue to eject people. The minister has been asked a question. He needs to be relevant to that question.

Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The point I wanted to make is the eldest son of the member for Curtin is doing his year 12 exams. And what I wanted to say on behalf of the whole House to all those students who are undertaking their year 12 exams is we wish them all the very best for what is a very important time of their life. I apologise to everyone who's listening that I couldn't get that out because of the rambling and unruly behaviour of those opposite. It is a great shame. Can I say that I think I know why they're rambling and they have no idea. It's because it's five months after the election and they do not have an education policy. What is your education policy? It is under review. It's been five months and they do not have an education policy.

Opposition members interjecting —

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The minister will resume his seat. Members on my left will cease interjecting. I will now proceed to eject people. The member for Gorton has already been warned. He will leave under 94(a). It's all very straightforward: people who get warned and keep interjecting—if they have difficulty remembering it, perhaps they could make a note. The minister has another 20 seconds.

Dan Tehan (Wannon, Liberal Party, Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On this side we've got record funding for preschool, record funding for child care, record funding for primary school, record funding for secondary school, record funding for higher ed, and you don't even have an education policy.