Brett Mason (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the minister representing the Minister for Education, Senator Carr. I listened closely to Senator Feeney’s question to the minister, so I ask specifically: is the government aware that the Berwick Lodge Primary School in Melbourne was refused a $3 million six-classroom library complex under the school stimulus debacle and was then bullied to instead accept a gymnasium, even though the school already has a gymnasium, and was then finally offered a $2 million classroom multipurpose complex?

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you Senator Mason. I wondered when you were going to get around to asking me a question about this, rather than everyone else along the front bench.

Nick Minchin (SA, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Carr.

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is a simple proposition. If you are going to do the bidding—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Carr, address the question.

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will. This is one of those questions where we see, once again, that the opposition has sought to actually outsource their work to the Australian. It is normal practice, I know, for newspapers these days to outsource work to others, but we have a situation here where the opposition and the member for Sturt are seeking to outsource their work to the Australian.

Berwick Lodge Primary School is eligible to apply for funding of up to $3 million under the Primary Schools for the 21st Century program for the building of new classrooms. The Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development has assured the Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations that they are working with the school to reach agreement on the projects proposal and to resolve any outstanding issues.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Victorian authorities—I would ask senators opposite to listen to this—have informed the Commonwealth that the school will receive its $3 million allocation to build its preferred option of additional classrooms.

Brett Mason (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask a supplementary question. Is it true that the reporting requirements relating to jobs and tender prices under the Building the Education Revolution program only apply after the money has already been allocated by the Commonwealth government?

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The reporting requirements have been made very, very clear, and in my previous answer I highlighted the detail of those reporting requirements. What each and state and territory is required to do is to ensure that they report on a monthly basis, that the program administration has been consistent with the guidelines and that there will not be tolerated any of the suggestions that you and others have been making, senator, about the administration of this program.

Each and every case that has been brought forward by the member for Sturt or by the Australian newspaper has been demonstrated to be incorrect. They are incorrect! I know your interest and understanding of education is actually a lot greater than that of the member for Sturt, but it is a pity that you did not undertake the necessary—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will call Senator Carr to finish his answer when there is silence.

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The opposition would do well to advise the people of these communities that they are now seeking to exploit what their position is. Do you support this? (Time expired)

Brett Mason (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Why will the government not listen to parents, teachers, school principals and even the Australian Education Union and review the program they all say is generating a huge waste of borrowed taxpayers money?

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

What this question demonstrates, yet again, is the failure of the opposition to understand what the impact of the global recession has been. This demonstrates, yet again, the failure of the opposition to understand how this program actually assists to build and refurbish facilities right across Australia. The opposition has failed to understand that this is a program that benefits 9½ thousand schools. It is a failure to understand that this is a program that benefits 3½ million Australian students, whether they are in primary or secondary schools. The opposition fails to understand that this is a program that benefits a quarter of a million teachers across the country. What this question demonstrates, yet again, is the failure of the opposition to understand the importance of education. (Time expired)