Dana Wortley (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I take the opportunity to contribute to the discussion in this chamber on the appropriation bills before us. In doing so, I acknowledge that we have a number of amendments before us that will be dealt with later today. Those in this chamber have already heard, both during the second reading debate and now in the committee stage, that these bills are part of a suite of legislation that is crucial and urgent in the face of the financial crisis gripping the globe and its impact on Australia. The passage of these bills through the parliament would be an investment in our nation’s future. They represent an investment in our nation’s families, in the homes they live in, in the environment, in our roads and their safety, in our community infrastructure, in our schools and the education and training they provide, and in the jobs of our workforce and their ongoing viability.

The bills introduced as part of the $42 billion Nation Building and Jobs Plan are the framework for shoring up our own house as we stare down a worsening worldwide situation. They are the foundation on which we will build a position of strength. While the scope of the measures sponsored by this legislation is broad, there are two points in particular that I would like to pick up on in relation to the contributions made in this chamber yesterday by two opposition senators, Senator Boyce on education and Senator Joyce on energy efficiency delivery. Through the funding allotted by this much-needed and urgent economic stimulus package, the government will build the education revolution. This pillar of the package is a $14.7 billion long-term investment to boost the quality of Australian school facilities such as multipurpose halls, libraries, gymnasiums and science laboratories.