Brett Mason (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Education) Share this | Hansard source

Can I first of all say this: the Schools Assistance Bill 2008 is a better bill than it was three hours ago. It is a much better bill, and I want to thank the senators from the crossbenches for their support. I have three quick points. Firstly, we have made sure that individuals’ names will not be disclosed publicly for their philanthropy. It is bad public policy and it should never have been in the legislation at all. Secondly, the national curriculum is still embryonic. The idea of linking funding to an embryonic curriculum that we do not have the details about is absurd, and it is inappropriate for non-government schools to take the government on faith on such an issue, which is absolutely rooted to their core. It is totally inappropriate. Thirdly, as Senator Ian Macdonald so eloquently put it earlier tonight, it is quite appropriate that additional assistance be made available for Indigenous students from remote areas. Now, because of the amendments moved by the opposition and supported by the crossbenchers, the minister will have the capacity to make provision for Indigenous students from very remote areas, and that is a good thing.