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

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Education, Senator Carr. Is the government aware of Hastings School at Port Macquarie and the construction under the Building the Education Revolution of a covered outdoor learning area, which is a facility with no walls and is effectively a slab of concrete, a number of pillars and a roof, at a cost of almost $1 million? Can the government assure the Australian taxpayers that they are not being ripped off?

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

The Hastings Public School is a matter that has received considerable public attention of late. I notice it is in the Australian again. Obviously, we have a model of behaviour here whereby the Liberal opposition feels it necessary to have News Limited do their research for them. It is a very risky proposition. In respect of Hastings Public School, I can confirm that approximately two weeks ago the New South Wales minister, after consultation, I might add, with Minister Arbib’s office, agreed to an independent audit of the cost of the covered outdoor learning area, or COLA. This was well in advance of the issue being raised in the media by the opposition. I am advised that the audit has been carried out and that a quantity surveyor has looked at the costs incurred in constructing this structure and whether they are reasonable in all the circumstances. This audit, and all such audits, is a detailed investigation that involves interviewing the school principal or whoever raised the concern. It includes a review of the tender documents as well as the estimated construction sum documents.

I am advised the audit will be finalised by the end of the week and that the New South Wales minister will advise the Deputy Prime Minister of the outcome of the audit early next week. This is a proper and responsible way to react to these allegations by receiving expert independent advice before acting. It is a pity the opposition did not follow that course of action instead of relying upon out-of-date information. (Time expired)

Bill Heffernan (NSW, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Heffernan interjecting—

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

Senator Heffernan, it is your colleague who wants to ask the supplementary question.

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

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Is the government aware of a survey conducted by the New South Wales Public Schools Principals Forum which showed that 117 out of 200 schools surveyed believe the construction projects under the Building the Education Revolution do not provide value for money or have, through delays, seriously disrupted classes and student activities? How can the government maintain that this $16 billion fiasco is a good spend of taxpayers’ money if nearly 60 per cent of schools themselves disagree, or does the government know best?

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

What we do have here is a clear difference of opinion between the government and the opposition. The opposition voted against—

John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Vice-President of the Executive Council) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Faulkner interjecting—

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

Senator Faulkner, you are quite right. The opposition voted against the biggest modernisation program in the history of the Commonwealth. What the opposition would have, and in fact they would prefer this, is young Australians—

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order! Senator Carr, resume your seat.

Cory Bernardi (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary Assisting the Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Bernardi interjecting—

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

Senator Bernardi!

Michael Ronaldson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Special Minister of State and Scrutiny of Government Waste) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Ronaldson interjecting—

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

Senator Ronaldson! Minister, continue.

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

It is quite clear that the opposition would prefer young Australians to study in conditions of monastic austerity, armed only with quills and pens, in a world ruled by mad monks. That is not a view that this government shares. We take the view that Australians are entitled to have the very best facilities that this country can provide. (Time expired)

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order! When there is order we will proceed. Senator Mason, you are entitled to be heard in silence.

Michael Ronaldson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Special Minister of State and Scrutiny of Government Waste) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Ronaldson interjecting—

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

Senator Ronaldson!

Michael Ronaldson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Special Minister of State and Scrutiny of Government Waste) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Ronaldson interjecting—

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

Senator Ronaldson, I am waiting to call Senator Mason.

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

I am looking forward to some monastic austerity myself, Mr President. I ask a further supplementary question. Is the government aware of comments by one of the school principals responding to the New South Wales Public School Principals Forum survey who said:

I cannot be more annoyed. The whole process has been completely bungled …

When will the government accept full responsibility for the waste and mismanagement of this $16 billion fiasco?

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

What we have here is a very clear example where the Rudd Labor government has, within the space of a little over two years, doubled the amount of money that has been available for improving the learning conditions of Australian children across 10,000 schools right across this country. Principal after principal across this country has endorsed the opportunities that have now arisen as a result of this government’s programs. We have a situation whereby, as a result of this program, we have 10,000 schools better off as a result of the actions taken by this government, in sharp contrast with the neglect that we have seen by the previous government. In fact, it is said the view that has been taken is that this is wasteful. This is a view that the conservatives of this country hold. It is not the view that Australians hold. (Time expired)