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

Senator Cameron, thank you for your question. In a year when the Commonwealth funding for schools is increasing, following upon the 50 per cent increase in funding this government has provided for schools, it is a tragedy to see the state government of New South Wales cutting back their school funding by $1.7 billion. Of course, we all know that budgets are about priorities; we all understand that basic principle. What the New South Wales government have done is demonstrated their priority—that is, their hostility to education, their hostility to ensuring that students in New South Wales, no matter what their background, actually get a fair go.

The Commonwealth is committed to increasing school funding. It is a pity that the states are not prepared to come to the party. We know that Liberal governments across this country are cutting support for education. What we have seen is the field work now being done for the future Tony Abbott experiments in education. What we are seeing is cuts in the funding in Victoria, like in New South Wales and in Queensland. Premier O'Farrell says, 'It isn't about the quantum of funding.' What an extraordinary, self-serving defence of inequality that is! As we know, the wealthy in this country can always look after themselves; it is the poorer students who look to government to even up the score. They cannot do that in New South Wales. The evidence is clear—very clear—that school funding makes a difference for children, particularly from disadvantaged backgrounds. (Time expired)