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

I thank Senator McKenzie for her question. The Turnbull government is proudly supporting additional assistance to schools right around Australia—including in New South Wales, which the senator has asked about. Indeed, New South Wales public schools in the government system are going to benefit from growth of some 5.8 per cent per student per annum over the next four years. That's an increase of some $535 million over four years. This strong growth is flowing through to individual schools.

The senator asked about Ryde Public School in particular. That school will see funding growth from around $2,300 per student up to some $3,600 per student. That is just one of many. Arndell School, which is also in the electorate of Bennelong, will see growth from $9,700 per student to $14,700 per student. That's an increase of over $5,000 per student, driven by the individual needs of that school. Rydalmere East Public School will equally see growth, from $2,900 per student to $4,500. Epping Boys High School, which is a large school with more than 1,100 students, will see growth from $2,600 per student to more than $4,000.

This is strong real growth enabling those schools to put additional resources into helping their students and assisting their teachers to deliver what those schools need. Of course, it stands in stark contrast to the Labor candidate for Bennelong, Kristina Keneally, who as Premier was happy to cut $318 million out of schools in New South Wales. The Turnbull government and John Alexander are putting extra funding into New South Wales schools where Kristina Keneally was more than happy to cut it.