Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

I am aware of those reports involving—I think it was the King's School. I think it is important for all independent schools to be accountable for the public funding that they receive and to make good decisions about how that funding is used. I don't think that taxpayers would expect public funding to be used for inappropriate purposes. It is intended to be used for what goes on in classrooms. I'd certainly encourage all private schools to approach funding that way.

There is no doubt that state schools in Australia need more public funding. They've needed it for at least the last 10 years during which the last government was in power. These are matters that we will consider further with the states and territories as we approach a new schools funding agreement.