Steph Hodgins-May (Victoria, Australian Greens) | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Early Childhood Education, Minister Walsh. Minister, this week Comms Declare revealed that big coal and gas corporations like Woodside, BHP and Santos are funding climate denial propaganda in our early childhood centres, in our schools, in our museums and in our sports clubs to downplay the role of coal and gas in driving climate change and to promote fossil fuel brands to children as young as six months old.

Minister, we would not allow tobacco companies into schools to teach about health. We wouldn't allow gambling companies to teach financial literacy. Do you think it passes the pub test for multinational coal and gas corporations to be teaching kids about climate change in our classrooms?

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

I thank the senator for her question. In relation to the report that you reference, which relates to fossil fuel industry approaches on the curriculum, it's probably important to outline what the Commonwealth's role is in relation to these matters. Our role is one of leadership in setting and advocating for what the national priorities are in education and what the national priorities are for the curriculum.

One of the national priorities for the curriculum is sustainability. That is one of three cross-curriculum national priorities. At the same time, it is really the states and territories who are responsible for managing and regulating schools, and that includes how curriculum is delivered. It includes what resources and what programs are used in our schools. It is at that level of government that decisions are made around teaching materials, around partnerships and around programs, along with education authorities and the schools themselves.

Beyond that, we value the work of the nation's teachers. We value the work of the nation's educators. We trust our teachers. We trust our educators to use their professional discretion to tailor learning to students in the classroom. Again, it's important to understand that our role as the Commonwealth is in setting and advocating for the national priorities in education.

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

Senator Hodgins-May, first supplementary?

Steph Hodgins-May (Victoria, Australian Greens) | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, aren't these education programs just loose change compared to what multinational gas corporations should be contributing through a gas export tax that could properly fund our schools and early learning centres so teachers didn't have to rely on nonsense curriculum because they're simply overworked and underfunded?

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

I'm proud to report to you and the chamber—in case you missed it—that the Albanese Labor government is investing an additional $20 billion in our public schools through the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement. For the first time, on our watch, under our government, every single public school student will be funded to the full Gonski standard in every single public school around the country. This is an additional $20 billion commitment, for the first time, to fund our public schools to the level that all of our public school students deserve, and we are proud to make that commitment. Only the Greens could complain about the biggest new injection of Commonwealth funding to public schools ever.

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

Senator Hodgins-May, second supplementary?

Steph Hodgins-May (Victoria, Australian Greens) | Link to this | Hansard source

I didn't hear an answer there, so let's try again. Minister, parents expect schools and early learning centres to educate our children, not to market fossil fuel companies. It's outrageous. Will the government finally, finally stare down the gas lobby and support an inquiry into keeping big coal and gas out of our classrooms? It seems like a pretty simple proposition.

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

I know that the Greens political party in this place love to fuel outrage. That is the fuel that the Greens are most interested in in this place—fuelling outrage. It is not delivering. The Greens are not interested in delivering for Australians, and we are. On this side of the chamber, we are proudly investing $20 billion into our public schools. We are fully funding every single public school student.

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

Senator Allman-Payne, I should not have to call you to order twice.

Senator Allman-Payne, do not speak back to me. I am requiring you to sit there in silence. That is an order.

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

For the first time, the Albanese Labor government is fully funding every single public school student in every single public school around the country. It is a $20 billion commitment. It is the first time it's ever been done.

Steph Hodgins-May (Victoria, Australian Greens) | Link to this | Hansard source

A point of order on relevance. My question was around fossil fuel infiltration of schools, not funding of public schools.

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

Thank you, Senator Hodgins-May. The minister is being relevant to your question.

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

Senator, you did link your question to the funding that is available to public schools, and we are making historic investments in those schools.