Mike Symon (Deakin, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for School Education and Minister for Early Childhood and Youth. Will the minister update the House on the development of the government's plans to improve all Australian schools?

Peter Garrett (Kingsford Smith, Australian Labor Party, Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the member for Deakin for his question because in his schools he is already seeing the benefit of this government's investment in education. There are about 40 schools there that have had an investment of around $78 million, and members on this side of the House know how important a role schools play, particularly when they are well invested in and have good facilities in educating Australia's students.

You can see the commitment to education reform from what this government has done. The pace and depth of reform has been extraordinary—a quality national curriculum, investing in teacher quality and doubling the quantum of investment. But the point that is most important in all of this is that these investments and reforms have been intended for all students in all schools. That is the point. Whether it is in a Catholic school, an independent school or a government school, national partnerships that we have delivered—

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You're all froth and no beer.

Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Sturt!

Peter Garrett (Kingsford Smith, Australian Labor Party, Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

have been based on the need of these students. Our approach to national school improvement will be the same.

The Leader of the Opposition does not agree. He sees injustice in the way independent schools are funded, but how he intends to treat that injustice is difficult to figure out, because the only thing on the record are cuts from the opposition of $2.8 billion to these national partnerships. Then we have the member for Sturt, who is in the House for a change, saying that class sizes do not matter and there is no need to worry about equity, and asking 'Why don't we sack one in seven teachers while we're at it?'—all on the record.

Our approach is clear. We want to build on the reforms underway and have an education funding system that is transparent and effective. That is why we commissioned the Gonski review panel, as the Prime Minister said, an important education review—incidentally, made up of eminent Australians from across the political and educational spectrum—

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Where's the government's response?

Peter Garrett (Kingsford Smith, Australian Labor Party, Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

and endorsed by many in the community. Interestingly enough it was endorsed, I saw, by the member for Calare, who on his website was kind enough to observe:

There is widespread acknowledgement that every child should have access to the best possible education …

He got that part right. Then comes the punchline:

The Coalition hopes that the Gonski Review will lead to better school systems across Australia …

I could not have said it any better if I had tried. But at the end of the day let's not forget what this panel said. They found:

… differences in educational outcomes should not be the result of differences in wealth, income, power or possessions.

Christopher Pyne (Sturt, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education, Apprenticeships and Training) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Well get on with it then.

Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The member for Sturt is warned.

Peter Garrett (Kingsford Smith, Australian Labor Party, Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We on this side of the House could not agree more, and that is why we will continue with these significant and important education reforms.

Opposition members interjecting—

Mr Albanese interjecting—

Mr Martin Ferguson interjecting—

Government members interjecting—

Ms Anna Burke (Chisholm, Deputy-Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! The Leader of the House, the minister for resources and other government members, the member for Dickson has the call and will be heard in silence.