House debates Questions without Notice
Education Funding
Justine Elliot Richmond, Australian Labor Party
2:59 pm
My question is to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister's $30 billion school cuts will leave schools around the country an average of $3.2 million worse off, including schools like Alstonville High School in the electorate of Page. Given the Prime Minister's Federation green paper proposes to cut all funding to schools, aren't these cuts just another part of the Prime Minister's plan to make parents with kids at Alstonville High School pay a new schools tax?
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
I really do think that, again and again, members are referring to a discussion paper, which they acknowledge, and yet the questions are asserting it to be something else. I will give the member for Richmond the opportunity to rephrase her question and make clear what it is she is referring to.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
It comes quite clearly under the category of debate. The Manager of Opposition Business can make his point of order and then the member for Richmond can have an opportunity to rephrase her question.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
When a government document has put forward an option, it must be valid for the opposition to question the government about the implications of that option. It has to be valid; otherwise—
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The member will resume his seat. There is no question that members are quite entitled to ask questions about the discussion paper but not to assert it is something else. The member for Richmond has the call.
Justine Elliot Richmond, Australian Labor Party
My question is to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister's $30 billion school cuts will leave schools around the country an average of $3.2 million worse off, including schools such as Alstonville High School in the electorate of Page.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
The member will resume her seat. Perhaps the member for Richmond is hard of hearing.
Mr Tony Burke Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance
Madam Speaker, I have a point of order.
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
Resume your seat. The member for Richmond has the call.
Justine Elliot Richmond, Australian Labor Party
My question is to the Prime Minister. Given the Prime Minister's secret plan to cut all funding to schools, aren't these cuts another part of the Prime Minister's plan to make parents with kids at Alstonville High School pay a new school tax?
Mrs Bronwyn Bishop Speaker
I do not think the member for Richmond quite gets the point. We will move on.