Marielle Smith (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Education, my good friend Senator Walsh. How is the Albanese Labor government's historic Better and Fairer Schools Agreement supporting students, families and teachers heading back to school for a new school year? How are these agreements delivering stronger public schools, more support in classrooms and better outcomes for students? And how is it helping families with back-to-school cost-of-living pressures?

Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Early Childhood Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, friend, for the question. Schools are back across the country. Many children have had their first ever day of school—including your gorgeous daughter, Zara. We wish them all the best. There are relieved parents, some nervous kids and teachers who are back in classrooms prepped and ready to go for the year ahead. As someone who proudly comes from a family of teachers, I know what this time of year feels like for them. They go back knowing that teaching isn't just a job; it is a calling. It's about giving all children every chance to reach their potential. That's why the Albanese Labor government is united in our commitment to our public schools.

For the first time ever, we have agreements to fully fund every public school student in Australia to a hundred per cent of their fair funding level. Through the better and fairer schools agreements, we're delivering an additional $16.5 billion in Commonwealth funding to public schools over the next decade—the biggest new injection of Commonwealth funding to public schools ever. This investment means stronger public schools, more support in classrooms and better outcomes for students, particularly those who need extra help. It also matters for families. Back-to-school costs are real, and properly funded public schools help ease pressure on household budgets while making sure every child gets a fair go, no matter where they live or what their parents earn.

None of this works without our nations' teachers. They do one of the most important jobs in this country. Our government is backing them with fairer funding, better support and a clear focus on what helps kids succeed. We are united in delivering stronger public schools and better outcomes for Australian kids.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Smith, first supplementary?

Marielle Smith (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The better and fairer schools agreements are being rolled out with more funding this year for Australian schools. How is this funding tied to real, evidence based reforms in classrooms this year, particularly to lift reading, writing and numeracy outcomes for those students in our communities who need the most support?

Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Early Childhood Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As a government we are proud to be fully funding every public school in Australia to 100 per cent of their fair funding level. This record new investment is tied to reform, and that reform is already being delivered. We're rolling out year 1 phonics checks nationally so children who are struggling to read are identified early and supported before gaps widen. We know this works because we've seen the improvements in your home state, Senator, in South Australia, where phonics checks have been in place for several years.

We're applying that same evidence based approach nationally. We're also strengthening maths in the early years with a new early-years numeracy check, because, again, we are united in building strong foundations for Australia's children.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Smith, second supplementary?

Marielle Smith (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, minister—you are a great friend of public schools and therefore a great friend of mine. Why is the Albanese Labor government's approach of strengthening and fully funding public schools so important, and what does that mean for families facing cost-of-living pressures?

Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Early Childhood Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thanks, Mate, for the question. We're united in our belief that education sets people up for life. We know strong public schools matter for families and for the future of this country.

The contrast with the opposition could not be clearer. When they were last in government, they ripped $30 billion out of public schools, and that is a stain on them that will never wash off. Since then, they've opposed just about every cost-of-living measure this government has brought forward to help families. On the side of the chamber, we take a different approach. We are fixing the system that they broke. We are united in our commitment to our public schools and to every student in our public schools. While you are all focused on yourselves and your iPhones right now, we are united in our focus on Australia's future.