Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Wright for the supplementary question. I can indicate to the chamber that negotiations have not concluded with the states and the territories and the non-government education authorities, but what we will see is a bill introduced to the parliament which will set out the broad principles of the new schools funding arrangements. In this legislation the Commonwealth will recognise the need to work with the states and territories and the non-government sector and there will be an ongoing process of reform. So the Australian government is going to continue to work in good faith with all jurisdictions for a much fairer and a more equitable education system based on a funding scheme which is based on needs. If you look at my home state of Victoria, you see some $480 million has been cut from education. School bus subsidies have been reduced; 7½ thousand students in rural and regional areas have been left stranded as a result of—(Time expired)