Michael Ferguson (Bass, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is addressed to the Minister for Education, Science and Training. Would the minister inform the House—

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Bass will begin his question again.

Michael Ferguson (Bass, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is addressed to the Minister for Education, Science and Training. Would the minister please inform the House about the Howard government’s indexing arrangements to ensure that our schools receive the funding that they need? Minister, I would also like to ask: are you aware of any alternative policies?

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women's Issues) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Bass for his question and note his interest in schools funding in his area. Under the Howard government, we will be investing $9.3 billion in schools across Australia this year, and that is a record level of funding. There will be $33 billion invested in Australian schools over the period 2005-08. That is a 59 per cent increase on the previous four-year funding period.

Last Tuesday in this House, the Leader of the Opposition took exception to what I said about Labor’s rehashed schools policy. He did not like it when I made reference to the fact that, under their national resource standard, what will happen is that over 350 schools and 220,000 students will have their funding frozen. After question time, the Leader of the Opposition said in this House in relation to Labor’s funding policy—and we have to listen to this carefully:

... they would be adjusted in order to ensure their real value—that would be an upward adjustment—kept pace with inflation.

Under current arrangements, every school in Australia receives a funding increase according to the average increase of the cost of sending a child to a government school. That has been running at an average of 6.4 per cent. Now, under Labor they would not be receiving their 6.4 per cent growth funding every year; each and every year under Labor there would be a 3.4 per cent cut in growth funding to schools. The Latham schools hit list is back—make no mistake. The Leader of the Opposition let the cat out of the bag. They are currently receiving 6.4 per cent. Labor have tied it to inflation. Inflation is running at three per cent. That 3.4 per cent funding hole would leave massive deficits in schools’ budgets.

Michael Ferguson (Bass, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of order. While I was asking my question, there were constant interjections. I simply want to be able to hear the answer from the minister.

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The member for Bass raises a valid point of order. I think all members are having difficulty hearing the minister’s answer. I will take action if members do not lower the level of noise. I call the minister.

Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women's Issues) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Leader of the Opposition said Labor’s funding policy would keep pace with inflation. Currently schools are receiving an average of a 6.4 per cent increase; Labor are committed to a three per cent increase. That massive 3.4 per cent decrease will leave holes in every school budget, and Labor ought to come clean and admit they are still punishing independent and Catholic schools.