Tony Abbott (Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

States and territories run public schools. Not only is he running yet another mindless scare campaign but he does not understand the basics of our Federation: that states and territories run public schools. Get it, Bill. Get this: states and territories run public schools.

What we do do and will continue to do is fund public schools. I think it is the third time I have said it. Let me repeat it again for the slow-listening slow learner over there: this year, Commonwealth funding for schools goes up eight per cent; next year, it goes up eight per cent; the year after that, it goes up six per cent; the year after that, it goes up four per cent. Total funding for schools over the forward estimates goes up 28 per cent. That is a $4 billion increase. Our funding goes up and up and up every year.

If, as members opposite keep saying, there is some kind of $30 billion funding gap, they are absolutely required to tell us how they are going to meet that gap. If there is a $30 billion funding gap, will the opposition fill it should they become a government? If they are not prepared to say now, 'Yes, we will find $30 billion more for schools, just like we'll find $18 billion more for foreign aid and just like we'll find $50 billion more for public hospitals'—if they are not prepared to say here and now that they will find another $30 billion for public schools—this line of questioning is revealed as simply fraudulent.

Mr Randall interjecting—

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