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

Firstly, in relation to the assertion that we have abandoned any children, let me again restate for Senator Lambie: more than 15 per cent growth in funding to Tasmania—funding that will continue to grow in relation to schoolchildren. Let me secondly deal with the issue in relation to higher education. I have to say that working, as Senator Ryan is now doing, to clean up the VET FEE-HELP mess of those opposite was indeed a scarring experience and one that means I am determined to make sure that any future reforms in higher education—to the HELP scheme or otherwise—ensure the sustainability of that scheme, ensure that students are actually getting value for money in whatever education is there and ensure that we put in place measures that guarantee equity of access to students.