David Bushby (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Education and Training, Senator Birmingham. Will the minister inform the Senate about the results of the trial of the new literacy and numeracy test for teacher education students?

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

I thank Senator Bushby for his question, which is a very important issue for the nation but especially for Tasmania in terms of having confidence in the quality of our teachers and confidence in the literacy and numeracy standards that are taught to our children.

The Turnbull government is providing new measures, in cooperation with the states and territories, to give confidence in the capabilities of our teachers in their own literacy and numeracy standards and therefore their capacity to be able to teach and appropriately deliver a good literacy and numeracy education to our children. Our government provided the opportunity, as part of our reforms, for up to 5,000 students to voluntarily sit the new test that we are applying across all initial teacher-training education graduates across nine centres: Perth, Darwin, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, Ballarat and Albury. This test is an opportunity for students to demonstrate that they are in the top 30 per cent of all Australians for literacy and numeracy standards. Importantly, from next year, it will be a compulsory part of graduation for any student and will therefore be available right around the nation, including, of course, in Tasmania.

What we have seen from these initial results is that some 92 per cent of those involved in teacher training at university passed the literacy component of the test and 90 per cent passed the numeracy component of the test. While these are pleasing pass rates, it demonstrates that our universities have a way to go to ensure that every single graduate completing a teacher training program at university is within that top 30 per cent band for literacy and numeracy. To do so will give us confidence, and, most importantly, will give parents, principals and the community confidence that our teachers are up to standard and can provide the requisite literacy and numeracy skills and training to students to ensure they have the basics for an excellent education into the future.

David Bushby (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask a supplementary question. Will the minister advise the Senate why this test is considered necessary?

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

The government recognises that the quality of teachers is the single most important in-school factor in determining student outcomes. Yes, there are many other factors that are critically important that our government is focused on—parental engagement and the quality of the national curriculum—but, within the classroom, it is the calibre and quality of the teaching that matters most.

Back in 2011, education ministers from around Australia agreed that teaching graduates should meet this top 30 per cent benchmark for literacy and numeracy standards. However, sadly, the Teacher Education Ministerial Advisory Group independent review the government undertook demonstrated that this was not necessarily being met. So this new measure, the mandatory test, which will ensure that, from 1 July next year, all students undertaking teacher training in universities must pass this test, therefore guarantees that they will meet the minimum 30 per cent standard. It will guarantee to parents, principals and others that they have teachers in the classrooms who are capable and competent in literacy and numeracy. (Time expired)

David Bushby (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I ask a final supplementary question. Will the minister please explain to the Senate how this will improve student outcomes?

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

This complements the record funding that our government is delivering to the school systems right around Australia. It complements what we have done in the new national curriculum that will apply from next year. It complements our parental engagement strategy. All of this comes together with our new teacher quality agenda to give schools, principals, education authorities, and, most importantly, parents, families and the community greater confidence in what is happening in the classroom and for literacy and numeracy outcomes of students around Australia.

This is an important benchmark to set. When it comes to what our teachers should have, and their capabilities and competencies within the classroom, the top 30 per cent of Australians for literacy and numeracy is not an unreasonable expectation. The vast majority of our teachers do an outstanding job, but it is critically important that we ensure public confidence in the teaching profession because, by having such excellent standards, we will then attract even better students into the teaching profession in years to come. I am confident these reforms will help to enhance the reputation of our teachers around Australia. (Time expired)

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

My question is again to the Attorney-General, Senator Brandis. I refer to the Attorney-General's previous answer to my question in which he claimed not to recall any conversation with the Minister for Justice in relation to the execution of a search warrant on Mr Brough, the Special Minister of State. Is the minister aware that, a short while ago, the Justice Minister informed the other place that he told the Attorney-General the warrant would be executed? When and how did the justice minister so inform the Attorney-General?

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order on my left!

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am very disappointed in you, Senator Wong—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On my left!

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

because, you have, in the course of that question, both misquoted me and misquoted Mr Keenan. Your question to me was whether I was advised by Mr Keenan before the warrant was issued, not in relation to the issue of the warrant but whether I was advised before the warrant was issued, and I said I have no recollection of such a conversation—and I have not.

Opposition senators interjecting—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order on my left!

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You also misquoted Mr Keenan. Mr Keenan said, in the House of Representatives, 'I informed the Prime Minister's chief of staff and the Attorney-General after'—after—'the warrants were executed.' Senator Wong, I am sure you are not deliberately misleading the Senate—

Government senators interjecting—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On my right!

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

but, Senator Wong, in both what you have put to me about what I said and about what you have attributed to Mr Keenan, you have misquoted us both.

Honourable senators interjecting—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order on both sides! On my right and my left!

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

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I reiterate the question in the primary question: when and how did the justice minister so inform the Attorney-General? And how many other conversations has the Attorney-General had with the justice minister about the execution of search warrants on the homes of ministers in the Abbott-Turnbull government? How about a non-lawyer's answer?

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order on my left! Both sides!

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It is not a lawyer's answer or a piece of pedantry to say that there is all the difference in the world between being advised of the execution of a search warrant before it is executed and being advised after it is executed, and you know that very well, Senator Wong. You do owe me an apology and you owe the Senate an apology. You asked me a question about whether I was advised before the warrant was executed. I was advised of it after it was executed, which is the ordinary procedure—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

If you have concluded your answer, Attorney-General, Senator Wong, a final—

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Sorry, Mr President; I have not completed my answer. I am not aware of any other conversations I have had with Mr Keenan in relation to the execution of search warrants.

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

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Did the Attorney-General speak to anyone else about the execution of a search warrant on the home of Mr Brough? If so, whom did he tell and when? How hard is it to recall these conversations, Attorney?

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

After having been advised by Mr Keenan after—

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

Now it comes out.

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I was not asked about Mr Keenan's advice after the warrant had been executed. I was asked whether I had—

Senator Wong interjecting—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Pause the clock. A point of order, Senator Macdonald?

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I am sitting not two metres from the Attorney, and I cannot hear him because of the constant yelling by Senator Wong, the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate. You have warned her several times. She asks a question, turns her back and yells at her backbench when she has asked a question of the minister.

Doug Cameron (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You are such a hypocrite!

Opposition senators interjecting—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Macdonald. Order on my left!

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

Mr President, I rise on a point of order. Senator Cameron used most unparliamentary words in abuse of Senator Macdonald, and I ask him to withdraw.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Cameron, in the noise of the chamber I did not hear anything you may have said. If you did say anything inappropriate, I would ask you to withdraw.

Doug Cameron (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do not think—just for a full explanation—calling Senator Macdonald a hypocrite is anything but the truth.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No; you cannot say that, Senator Cameron. You will have to withdraw that.

Doug Cameron (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I withdraw.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Cameron. Attorney-General, you have the call.

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Let me read onto the record of the Senate what Mr Keenan did say, so that the gravity and seriousness of Senator Wong's misrepresentation of what he said can be apparent: 'Thank you very much, Mr Speaker—'

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Pause the clock. A point of order, Senator Wong?

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

Mr President, the point of order is direct relevance.

Senator Kim Carr interjecting—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Carr, I cannot hear your leader.

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

I asked about the discussions the Attorney-General had in relation to the search warrant on the home of Mr Brough. That is what I asked about. With respect, Mr President, if he wants to make this contribution post question time, he is welcome to do so.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In light of the question that has been asked of the Attorney-General—the series of three questions and the last supplementary—I will allow the Attorney-General to continue.

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

So Mr Keenan said: 'Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. After the warrants were executed, as I would normally do in a matter like this, I informed the Prime Minister's chief of staff and the Attorney-General—

Opposition senators interjecting—

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order on my left!

George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

as the cabinet minister in the portfolio.' It was after the warrants were executed. Senator Wong, you also asked me whether I had any conversations with anyone after I was informed by Mr Keenan, after the warrants had been executed. I may well have done.