Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Hansard source

Labor have always believed that education is very, very important. Our critical priority in government has been investment in education. We are committed to ensuring that every child in this country gets a fair go. Public education in this country is dependent on the proposition that everybody who walks through the door is entitled to a place—everybody who walks through the door gets a place in public schools. That is the big difference in terms of the education system. There is no discrimination in public education. Our commitment is to ensure that every child gets a fair go and in particular that state education—public education—is properly funded to ensure that there is genuine equality of opportunity for all Australians in this country. That is the premise of a decent country. That is the premise of a social democracy.