House debates Questions without Notice
Education Funding
Bill Shorten Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition
2:10 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. Under Labor's school agreements, states are required to invest one extra dollar for every two extra federal dollars. What is the rate of co-contribution from the states under the panicked deals that your government announced yesterday?
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Opposition Members:
Opposition members interjecting—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The Prime Minister has the call, but I would remind those on my left that, having listened to the Leader of the Opposition's question, if you want to hear the answer then we need some quiet.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
2:11 pm
I would remind the Leader of the Opposition that I am responsible for what the Commonwealth does; the states are responsible for what the states do.
Ms Macklin interjecting—
Mr Dreyfus interjecting—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The member for Jagajaga and the member for Isaacs will cease.
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The member for Jagajaga and the member for Lingiari are both warned!
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
I will also remind the Leader of the Opposition that the only state government that has ripped money out of school funding is the South Australian Labor state government, which has ripped $200 million out of school funding under the agreement that the Leader of the Opposition negotiated.
Mr Bowen interjecting—
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
The Leader of the Opposition just cannot help himself. He is constantly interjecting across the table. He should look at the Adelaide ABC interview from this morning, where the South Australian Labor education minister admitted that she is ripping $200 million out of school funding. I table the transcript of the ABC interview.
What we are doing is honouring our commitments to the Australian people at the election. I can understand why members opposite are so upset.
Ms Owens interjecting—
Tony Abbott Warringah, Liberal Party, Prime Minister
You could not trust Labor, but you can trust this coalition.