Mark Bishop (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Human Services, Senator Kim Carr.

Senator Abetz interjecting—

That is right—Senator Carr. Stop interrupting, you! Can the minister inform the Senate what the government is doing to ensure that children from low-income families get a fair crack at a good education?

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

I thank the senator for his commitment to equity in education. From tomorrow, families will see the schoolkids bonus in their bank accounts. The Department of Human Services expects to deliver $1.4 billion to 1.3 million households before the month is out—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

And I am sure those opposite are delighted to hear that! The measure is fundamentally about equity. It is about a just society, and that begins—

Opposition senators interjecting—

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

Senator Carr, just resume your seat. There are a few people that are a little bit excited this afternoon. We might just wait until they settle down. When there is silence, we will proceed.

Honourable senators interjecting—

When the chatter across the chamber ceases, we will proceed. The time to debate it is after question time. Senator Carr.

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

It is a sorry thing that we hear from the knuckle-draggers on the other side of the chamber, who have failed to face up to their responsibilities when it comes to ensuring a just society—because we know that a just society begins with a good education. It is the only way to give every Australian the chance to realise their full potential for themselves and for their country. It is the path to the high-wage, high-skill, high-tech jobs that people are entitled to expect. That is why this Labor government has made education the foundation of a richer, fairer and greener Australia. The schoolkids bonus is one of the steps we are taking along that path.

The old education tax refund was a worthy initiative, but less than 20 per cent of eligible households were claiming the benefit in full. It was bypassing the poorest, those most in need. That is why the government has acted on the recommendation of the Henry tax review by replacing the refund with a schoolkids bonus. This is the sort of practical assistance that struggling families need to give their kids a fair go in school and in life. It is a shame that those opposite do not support these practical measures to help people get a good start in life.

Mark Bishop (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Can the minister advise the Senate what the government is doing to help families manage their entitlements in the interests of their children?

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

I am aware that this is a matter of some concern to the Leader of the Opposition, because he takes the view that we should deny our kids their bonus; he takes the view that people cannot be trusted to spend this money wisely.

This is a government that wants to help families make the right decisions, and that is why the Department of Human Services provides financial information services for families. It is a free and confidential service delivered by professional officers with specialist knowledge of income support systems. Anyone can speak to an officer by phone or set up an appointment to discuss any questions in depth. In the financial year to date, officers have assisted over 164,000 people through these channels. A further 77,000 people have attended over 2,600 public seminars. The Australian people have a clear choice: practical assistance for families or fear and smear from those opposite. (Time expired)

Mark Bishop (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Given the significant costs of some essential equipment, such as laptops and computers, can the minister advise what the government is doing to ensure fair access?

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

The schoolkids bonus is simply one measure we are taking to combat the educational divide in this country. Another is the government's major investment in technology for schools. In 2007—Senator Mason would recall this—Labor promised that we would provide enough computers in schools for every senior high school student in the country, and we are delivering on that promise. Education authorities across the country have installed more than 950,000 computers, exceeding the original target of 786,000 computers by the beginning of the current financial year. This is what the National Secondary School Computer Fund means to our kids: it is a guarantee that they will not be left behind. And the opposition have promised to rip it away. The opposition want to drag our kids back to the cave in which they dwell. This is a government that always look to the future, and we urge the opposition to change their— (Time expired)