Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Mason is familiar enough with this area to know the way the education system of this country operates. The administration of individual schools is the responsibility of school authorities, whether they be state governments, the Catholic education offices or the independent schools. Individual school authorities have responsibilities. However, our responsibility is to the Australian people. Our responsibility is to ensure that projects are brought on quickly and at the appropriate standard, that we provide jobs and we provide infrastructure for the future. Our responsibility is to defend this country and to ensure that proper productivity arrangements are made for the future through investment in education. What is your responsibility? Your responsibility is to tell the truth. Do you support these projects or do you not support them? Go out to the schools of this country and tell the local communities whether you support these measures, yes or no.