Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Wright says, 'Absolutely. There we go. Mr Acting Deputy President Whish-Wilson, through you: Senator Wright, we will only achieve any reform of the Federation if the states and territories agree. That is why they have been involved in the development of this discussion paper, that is why the Prime Minister is sitting down with state and territory leaders in July, and of course that is why I am pleased to say that the states and territories are being far more sensible about this than any of those opposite, because they know that it makes sense to try to get clearer lines of accountability if it is possible. The South Australian Labor Premier has not endorsed Senator Polley's hysteria, nor Senator Wright's hysteria, nor the hysteria of many others in this space. South Australian Labor Premier, Jay Weatherill, has rightly said:

… it's only a discussion paper.

We've been asking them—

'them' being the Commonwealth—

to canvas the broader range of options …

So we have canvassed the broadest possible range of options. Premier Weatherill went on to say:

There's a broad debate going on about Commonwealth/state relations, which is a good thing.

And it is a good thing to have this debate and it is to the shame of all of those opposite that they do not want to have a sensible debate about this, that they want to turn it into a scare campaign and that they do not seem to care about whether or not funding going to the school system is wasted. They would rather run a scare campaign. They do not care about the fact that our educational standards are slipping because of this wastage, because of these inefficiencies. They want to run a scare campaign. We will not accept a scare campaign. We have been crystal clear today to make sure that everybody understands that there are no plans from this government to reduce support to schools. That is why we are providing record funding. We have no intention of charging people to attend and access free public education. But we do intend to have a proper discussion with the states and territories to see whether the Commonwealth can actually manage to operate and run the education system, and the schooling system, and the funding thereof, more efficiently—in partnership with the states and territories. That is what this is about—trying to get better outcomes for Australian taxpayers and for state taxpayers—

Senator Wright interjecting—

but more importantly, Senator Wright, for students and parents, and to make sure that they are getting the best possible resources. It is to the shame of all those opposite that all they are interested in is a scare campaign on this—rather than achieving the best possible outcomes for Australian students, which is what this government wants to deliver.