Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Education) Share this | Hansard source

Thanks, Senator Allman-Payne. I've seen your passion in regard to public education in this chamber and also in Senate estimates. The government has a proud record of support for public schools. Indeed, the minister himself is someone who's been very passionate in his defence of public schools and, at the same time, the teaching profession. He recognises the role that teachers have played in his life, and the work that he wants to do to lift the standing of teachers and the profession across the country is really important.

The government won't be supporting this amendment. The minister has been clear that additional funding needs to be tied to reform. This amendment wants the Commonwealth to provide additional funding for states and territories without embedding the reforms that will actually help Australian students catch up, keep up and finish school, which are exactly what we want to do to build a strong and sustainable education system in this country.