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

I have heard the education minister in Queensland tell us that the states run schools. He has a view that is shared by a number of state politicians. We have heard the same refrain from these politicians as was heard at the beginning of Federation in this country when it came to railway gauges. It was the same mentality. It is true that the states have very important powers under the Constitution, but we say that with that power comes responsibility. Responsibility to pay your share; responsibility to collaborate with other governments across the nation, particularly the Commonwealth; and responsibility to ensure that students are put ahead of party political gains, which is not what we are seeing at the moment. A national plan will ensure that every child in every school receives the best education that this country can afford, and it is based on the best evidence. (Time expired)