Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Hansard source

Right across New South Wales, our school funding model will deliver an increase of some $1.1 billion just over the forward estimates period. That's a 19.8 per cent—virtually a 20 per cent—increase in funding. It's geared most strongly towards those of highest need. As a consequence, we see funding growth is even faster in the government sector, running at some 23.6 per cent over the forward estimates period, while in the non-government sector there is still strong growth of around 17.3 per cent—growth well above inflation, well above projected wages growth, and growth that provides real, additional support into New South Wales schools. It stands in stark contrast to the work of Kristina Keneally: the Labor candidate in Bennelong and the former New South Wales Premier—who as Premier was happy to cut $318 million out of New South Wales schools. Sanctimonious, they are arguing for school funding, but their candidate, the former New South Wales Premier, was happy to rip money out of their schools.