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

While funding is important, how it's used is even more critical, and that's why we are very pleased as a government that David Gonski is now leading and undertaking a further body of work, which is focused on the achievement of educational excellence around Australia. Having implemented the fundamental recommendations of his first substantial report on needs based school funding, we are now pursuing the real focus of how we guarantee the record and growing investment in Australian schools delivers the type of lift in quality outcomes. We are pleased that a number of leading educationists, particularly those with grassroots, hands-on experience as principals and teachers, are joining with Mr Gonski in undertaking this work, which will ensure that, in a state like South Australia, there is an expert evidence base for the future to guarantee that the extra $763 million flowing into South Australian schools—that is, the extra $2,500 per student—is used as effectively and efficiently— (Time expired)