House debates Questions without Notice

Schools

Tuesday, 20 June 2017 House of Representatives

Tanya Plibersek

Tanya Plibersek Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition

3:07 pm

My question is to the Prime Minister. Yesterday in question time, the Prime Minister claimed funding for students with disabilities in Tasmania would not be cut by one-third or $12 million in 2018. Given an answer to a question on notice provided by the department of education confirms that cut, does the Prime Minister now want to own up to the fact that he is cutting $12 million from students with disabilities in Tasmania in 2018?

Josh Frydenberg

Josh Frydenberg Kooyong, Liberal Party, Minister for the Environment and Energy

3:08 pm

The Commonwealth has provided $1.6 billion to support children with a disability in schools this year, up from $1.1 billion in 2014. Under the Turnbull government's reforms, funding for students with disabilities will grow by 5.9 per cent on average each and every year. It is estimated that $21 billion will be provided for students with a disability over the next 10 years. Again, the reality is that under the Turnbull government's school funding program, all schools will benefit across the independent sector, the Catholic sector and the government sector. The member for Sydney should know that in her own electorate there are 40 schools with 14,000 students. Alexandria Park Community School will benefit by $5 million—

Tony Smith

Tony Smith Speaker

The member for Sydney on a point of order?

Tanya Plibersek

Tanya Plibersek Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition

Alexandria Park Community School is a fantastic school but—

Tony Smith

Tony Smith Speaker

No, the member for Sydney will resume her seat.

Josh Frydenberg

Josh Frydenberg Kooyong, Liberal Party, Minister for the Environment and Energy

I just want to point out to the House that in the member for Sydney's electorate, the schools will, on average, be $2.5 million better off as a result of the Turnbull government's plan. Alexandria Park Community School, in the member for Sydney's electorate, will be $5 million better off over the next 10 years, and St Mary's Cathedral College, a Catholic school, will have a $10 million increase over the next 10 years.

Tony Smith

Tony Smith Speaker

Before I call the next question—

Mr Snowdon interjecting—

If the member for Lingiari just stops interjecting, we might be able to move on with the next question. I say to the member for Sydney, as I have many times—and this is the last time I am going to say it—if any member rises on a point of order, they need to state the point of order, not enter into a debate. The member for Sydney is very lucky she is still here for her matter of public importance that is coming up.