Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Hansard source

Building the Education Revolution is about supporting jobs, Senator Faulkner, not just today but for generations to come. It is about creating the infrastructure needed to sustain quality teaching and learning. It is about providing environments in which Australian students can develop their skills, find their inspiration and reach their full potential. It is a pity you did not know more about this, senators over there. This is absolutely essential if we are to boost Australia’s innovation capacity and performance. The most important factor in the innovation process is human capital: smart people, whom it is a pity we do not have more of over there; creative people, whom it is a pity they do not have more of as well; and people who can engage in critical yet constructive approaches to the world around them.

More than 24,000 Building the Education Revolution projects have been approved in more than 9,500 schools right across the country. This is the biggest school modernisation program the nation has ever seen. Schools across Australia are benefiting—