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

What we are being asked to comment upon is the fact that this government has insisted upon value for money in the BER program. This government expects education authorities and their building contractors to ensure that there is value for money for taxpayers and for school communities when delivering the BER program.

What has occurred is that a $75 million funding instalment for the Primary Schools for the 21st Century program has been withheld from the New South Wales government while claims of waste in state school projects are investigated. The Minister for Education and Training in New South Wales, Ms Verity Firth, has advised that part of the scheduled payments in July will be withheld. The government is aware that Minister Firth—