Julia Gillard (Lalor, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

Yes, I am talking about the education of Australia's children, and that means I am talking about the competitiveness of our economy and its prosperity for the long term. I do understand that those opposite, because they stand for a plan which would see $16.2 billion less invested in education, are uncomfortable when we talk about the importance of education to our competitiveness, but I would say to the Leader of the National Party: take a leaf out of Minister Piccoli's book and be prepared to put Australia's children first. If one National can do that then surely another National can do that. To the Leader of the National Party: yes, that means him.

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