Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to first withdraw amendment (4) on sheet 8176. We have dealt with that effectively through questions to the minister in relation to the establishment of the independent resources board.

by leave—I move amendments (11), (14), (15) and (16) on sheet 8176 together:

(11) Schedule 1 , page 24 (after line 27) , after item 82 , insert:

82A Subsections 67(2) and 69A(1) (note 2)

Omit "' section 126"' , substitute "' subsection 126(1)"' .

(14) Schedule 1 , page 26 (after line 21) , after item 98 , insert:

98A Subsections 112(3) to (5)

Omit "' section 126"' , substitute "' subsection 126(1)"' .

(15) Schedule 1 , page 27 (after line 2) , after item 101 , insert:

101A Section 126

Before "' The Consolidated Revenue Fund"' , insert "' (1)"' .

(16) Schedule 1 , page 27 (after line 5) , after item 102 , insert:

102A At the end of section 126

Add:

(2) It is the Parliament' s intention to, by another Act, establish a fund of at least $300 million to meet the needs of students with disability.

These amendments all relate to the establishment of and putting money into the disability fund and will ensure that we have enough money to support our students and children with a disability in schools. We know that there has been much talk in this debate about the impact of these changes on the disability sector and children in our schools. We have obviously heard the revolting and very unhelpful comments from Senator Hanson in relation to children with a disability. What the Greens want to do is to request an extra $300 million to ensure that we have enough support in our schools across the country for our children with a disability.

To provide a little bit of background in relation to this, this was one of the elements remaining from our discussions with the government. Up until mid-yesterday, we were urging the government to increase the amount of money put aside for students with disabilities. We are concerned that, with the larger number of students now categorised, there is not enough money in that fund to go around. It is absolutely essential that we do not cut short support for our most vulnerable children as these reforms go through. So we are requesting, through this amendment, an extra $300 million to support children who are the most vulnerable.