Kim Carr (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Hansard source

The opposition plan to cut funding for schools and, on the latest count, it will be by $2.8 billion. You are correct in that number, Senator Wright. We have heard a lot about their attitudes to teachers. We have heard a lot about their attitudes to trade training. We have heard a lot about their attitudes to TAFE cuts, which we are now seeing throughout the states. For instance, in the state of Victoria we are seeing, when Liberal governments get into office, massive cuts—550 people out of the education department in Victoria. We have seen the cuts in Queensland. There is a long and established pattern. Under Jeff Kennett we saw the closure of over 300 schools in my state. We have seen a pattern of behaviour towards public education exhibited by the conservative party in this country that goes back generations. This is the standing orders of the Liberal Party when it comes to cutting the budget. They start with the schools and particularly with public education. There is no doubt in my mind that they will implement that promise—$2.8 billion in cuts. (Time expired)