Jacinta Collins (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Prime Minister, Senator Cormann. I refer to the Minister for Education and Training, Senator Birmingham, who has accused the Victorian Catholic education office of being 'bought by a few pieces of silver'. In a debate about education funding, does the minister think it is appropriate to use an analogy from the Christian scriptures to compare the Catholic education office to Judas Iscariot?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Collins for that question. Our school-funding reforms, for the first time, put all schools on an equal footing. Ours is a genuinely needs based funding system, without special deals. Of course, Senator Birmingham, as an outstanding education minister, has been able to secure historic reforms when it comes to our school-funding arrangements.

But let me read to the chamber what the perception of Mr Shorten's approach to school funding is by the Australian Council of State School Organisations—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator Cormann, please resume your seat. Senator Farrell on a point of order.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A point of order: we haven't asked a question about the government's education policy. We've asked a specific question about a statement made by Senator Birmingham and we'd ask you to direct the minister to answer that question.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On the point of order, Senator Farrell: I cannot direct the minister how to answer a question. I remind the minister of the question asked and that he has a minute and 11 seconds to answer.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Our government values the contribution of the Catholic education system. Minister Birmingham values the contribution of the Catholic education system. What I would point out, though, is the critique of Mr Phillip Spratt, from the Australian Council of State School Organisations, who is very upset about Bill Shorten wanting to reintroduce special deals.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! Senator Cormann, please resume your seat.

Opposition senators interjecting—

Order on my left! Senator Wong on a point of order.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The point of order is direct relevance. The question goes to whether it is appropriate to liken the Catholic education office to Judas Iscariot. That is the question that ought be answered.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Wong. As I've pointed out before, I can't direct the minister how to answer the question. He is allowed to address parts of the question as asked. I remind the minister of the question and call him to continue his answer.

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I've said, our government values the contribution of the Catholic education system, as we value the contribution of all parts of our education system, and indeed that is the position of the minister for education. What I would say is that the public school system across Australia is very concerned about the fact that the Labor leader wants to reintroduce special deals into our school-funding arrangements, when this government has been able to secure historic reforms, putting our school-funding arrangements on a genuine needs based foundation. Labor wants to go back to the discredited ways of the Gillard government and have a plethora of special deals. That is not the way that we will proceed moving forward. (Time expired)

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Collins, a supplementary question.

Jacinta Collins (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Executive Director of Catholic Education Melbourne, Stephen Elder, says that Minister Birmingham has shown a lack of respect while 'sneering' at parents of Catholic students. Is Mr Elder correct?

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm sure that the minister will engage in a conversation with Mr Elder in the next little while to talk through any issues. Let me tell you, as a parent of children that go to Catholic schools, I'm not concerned about the statements by Minister Birmingham.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Collins, a final supplementary question.

Jacinta Collins (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Does the Prime Minister agree with his senior colleague who has described Minister Birmingham's comparison of the Victorian Catholic education office to Judas, the apostle who betrayed Jesus Christ, as disgraceful and highly offensive? Has the Prime Minister counselled Minister Birmingham for his statement which has caused offence to Catholic Education Melbourne, his own colleagues and the whole Catholic community? (Time expired)

Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Firstly, I haven't seen the comments that Senator Collins is referencing. All I can say is what I have said all the way through: our government values the contribution of the Catholic education system to the education of our children. I've also just been advised that Mr Elder's actually said publicly that he wasn't offended by the reported remarks.