Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I do not want to take the time of the chamber, because I am conscious that other senators want to speak on other matters, but I simply want to congratulate Senator McKenzie. It is such a refreshing change to have someone speak in this chamber on education matters who actually knows what they are talking about. I am aware of Senator McKenzie's distinguished career in the education system.

From listening to Senator Lines, you would not be aware that the motion was about teacher quality, but I am pleased that Senator McKenzie was able to demonstrate that education is about what parents need, what the children need and not what the teachers union wants. You can be assured that Senator Lines's speech drew heavily on the work of the teachers union, who seem to be more interested in their own positions in the union movement than in the quality of education that Australian children are getting.

I will not take the matter further except to say how pleasing it is to have a contribution from someone like Senator McKenzie, who clearly knows what she is talking about when it comes to education.

If nobody else wants to speak on this, I seek leave to continue my remarks.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.