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

Thanks, Chair. In relation to why it is 20-80, I would refer the senator to the Hansard of the Senate estimates, where that evidence was given and examined in some detail. In relation to the impact of the system weighted averaging and the figures, I went through with Senator Collins only a few hours ago, state by state and sector by sector, what that meant for next year. In relation to impacts for SES changes, again I would refer the senator back to the exchanges in the estimates and the committee inquiries. In relation to the terms for transitional funding, I understand the draft terms for the transitional funding were tabled as one of the answers to the inquiries and questions that were made.

In relation to the amendment that is actually the question before the chair at present, I would highlight to the senator that, if she wants to know what the functions of the national school resourcing board as proposed are, she need only look at the fact that, indeed, they have functions specifically to look at compliance by states and territories with their responsibilities and to look at compliance by approved authorities with their responsibilities. More generally, we have given commitments that, under the other powers that leave more open what their compliance regimes or their responsibilities are, they will look at the SES score methodology and at its interaction with the capacity-to-contribute arrangements. They will then have a look at system weighted averaging, but ultimately they will be responsible for all aspects of the funding regime. Indeed, as a result of some of the amendments that have been adopted already, they will also have the capacity to self-initiate reviews in relation to the funding mechanisms and how those funding mechanisms interact with student outcomes, most importantly.