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

I can confirm that the National Plan for School Improvement promises much better resources for all schools but does require the states to come to the party. The fact remains that, under the current indexation arrangements, about 60 per cent of those formulas are a result of the cost of schooling, particularly for teaching. That has seen a reduction in the level of support because the state governments are forcing down wages for schoolteachers despite the promises they made, particularly in Victoria. We are seeing that national responsibility is going begging because the state governments are refusing to take up the opportunity of a national school improvement plan.

We understand that Premier Baillieu of Victoria—when he was the Premier—argued that he had a different plan. Premier Newman supported him in that approach. The Baillieu plan was a dud. Premier Baillieu is no more. (Time expired)