Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Bishop for his question and his ongoing interest in education and the digital economy. Earlier this month the government announced funding for 12 education and skills projects for primary schools, high schools, TAFEs and universities around Australia, worth $27 million.

These pilot projects will use the NBN to demonstrate how access to education can be improved using high-speed broadband, particularly in regional areas. As a result, high school kids in regional towns, like Willunga and Smithton will get access to the latest remote laboratory and research instruments from Monash University and the University of New South Wales. I challenge those in that corner down there, in what used to be known as Cockies' Corner, but you would have to abbreviate that nowadays, because their defence of regional Australia is absolutely shameful. When opportunities like these are available for children in regional schools, you may well sit there silently, because you should be ashamed of yourselves—for you to be ruled over by the Liberals like this will see the children of regional and rural Australians missing out on the best possible education in this country.

Using the NBN from the home or classroom, students will have access to classes in science and engineering that would otherwise simply not be available. Asian languages and cultural studies will be taught to students in country schools, who will be able to collaborate on projects with overseas students face to face— (Time expired)