Mr BARRESI (1:56 PM) —In the brief time I have before question time I would like to make a couple of comments regarding the States Grants (Primary and Secondary Education Assistance) Amendment Bill 2003. Hopefully I will be able to continue after question time. It is disappointing to hear that speaker after speaker on the opposition side seems to see this bill as one that is specifically aimed at advancing the causes of some of our elite schools in Australia. The example of the King's School is constantly being thrown up. Frankly, I find it very disappointing: it seems to be a one dimensional argument being portrayed by the opposition. It is easy to identify the most elite school in Australia and to somehow give the impression that all private schools in Australia are of the same ilk, that they all have the same level of resources. It is disappointing because what has been evidenced by the opposition is a complete denial that state governments exist in this country.

Earlier today, on another bill, I spoke about federalism and how federalism has perhaps had its time in this country. It was a great concept over 100 years ago. Based on the constant comments we get from our electorates, I know that people have no interest in jurisdictional excuses—whether the state, federal or local government is responsible. But the fact is we are in a federal system. We do have state governments and a federal government. The state governments are principally responsible for the funding of state schools. The federal government's responsibility is to provide funds to the states through assistance programs, and that money is allocated across the states.

It gives me great pleasure to speak on this bill. A short time ago I visited Mitcham Primary School in my electorate for the official opening of its refurbished library and administration staff amenities, which were stage 1 of the capital works program. I also visited that school earlier on with the minister for education, Dr Brendan Nelson. The project, partly funded by the federal government with a $90,000 grant, was a real cause for celebration at the school. I congratulate Principal Ian Sloane and the school council for their work in leading the staff and school community during the sometimes difficult days of mud and contending with contractors.

It is a school that has benefited from Commonwealth funds for capital works. It is a real success story—a school that is in a working class area of my electorate, where a lot of the students come from various multicultural backgrounds, and a school that a number of years ago was in dire need of capital works. During a walk around the new buildings we saw four large, coloured pencils which were part of the school citizenship program. The minister saw the program first-hand when he visited the school last year. It centres on four key elements: persistence, getting along, organisation and confidence. I feel that those elements can be applied in the context of this bill. The federal government has been persistent in its approach to funding, and this bill expands the coalition's proud record of achievement in increasing funding to our schools, having done so by more than 93 per cent since the 1996 election.

The SPEAKER —Order! It being 2.00 p.m., the debate is interrupted in accordance with standing order 101A. The debate may be resumed at a later hour and the member for Deakin will have leave to continue speaking when the debate is resumed.