Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question without notice is to the Minister representing the Minister for Education, Senator Payne. I ask: can the minister confirm that the schools-funding agreement reached with Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory will deliver Commonwealth money with 'no strings attached'?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Carr for his question. I can confirm that this government will be treating state governments and territory governments in Australia like adults and that we will be expecting them to deliver education services to their—

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Oh, really? Allowing state and territory governments to cut funding while they don't put anything in!

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You just ripped money away from them, Penny!

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

Order! On both sides! Senator Payne is quite entitled to be heard in silence.

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I said, we will be treating state and territory governments in this country with respect and as adults, unlike those opposite, who chose to exercise almost a command-and-control approach over education in this country.

But nevertheless, if the opposition are so keen to raise this issue and are so keen to talk about the sorts of concerns they have about the behaviour of state and territory governments perhaps they might want to consult with Senator Wong's colleague Mr Weatherill, who appears to have cut $230 million from the South Australian education budget, notwithstanding having an agreement with the former Commonwealth government. So if you are looking for an example, Senator Carr, that might be the one to use.

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Can the minister confirm that agreements with states under the Better Schools model, including state-funding commitments, are now up for renegotiation?

Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Try 'yes' or 'no'!

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The day I take advice from Senator Sterle will be a cold day somewhere. Let me advise the Senate, Mr President—

Jacinta Collins (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I reckon you were doing better yesterday, Marise!

Glenn Sterle (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Knock yourself out, Marise!

Government senators interjecting—

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

Order! Senator Payne is entitled to be heard in silence. On both sides!

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I understand Senator Carr's question, I am able to say that the funding agreements that are in place are the agreements that are continuing, and that the Commonwealth has committed to observing the funding arrangements which were discussed at some length in the chamber yesterday. If it is a matter of memory loss for the senator, perhaps he could refer to the Hansard. However, in relation to those states and territories which are, perhaps, choosing to go in a different direction, I refer again to Mr Weatherill, who I understand to be the Premier of New South Wales—

Jacinta Collins (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Poor Barry!

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am sorry—South Australia. (Time expired)

Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader for Science) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. How can this government claim there is 'no need', to quote Senator Abetz, for any school to be worse off if the Commonwealth hands out money to states without ensuring it goes to students who need it most?

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It gives me great pleasure to once again refer to South Australian Premier Weatherill's cuts of $230 million to education in that state. As I understand it, he is the Labor Premier of the state of South Australia and, of course, the people of South Australia will have an opportunity to have their say on education cuts in that state quite soon.

Jacinta Collins (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Ooh—got the state right!

Sue Lines (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Talk about Colin Barnett's cuts! Look at all the WA senators on the frontbench!

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can I also say that the coalition—

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

Order! Senator Payne, you are entitled to be heard in silence. There is a debate going on from both sides over the chamber, which is completely disorderly—

Cory Bernardi (SA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There is screeching on the other side of the chamber!

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

Order!

Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I also say that as far as the coalition is concerned, we do regard state and territory governments as adults. We do not think we need federal inspectors in state schools. We do think we need more parental and principal involvement in the running of schools. We do think we need a stronger approach to curriculum, and not for one moment is the coalition intending to apologise for that.