

- Title
QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Education
- Database
Senate Hansard
- Date
17-06-2013
- Source
Senate
- Parl No.
43
- Electorate
- Interjector
PRESIDENT, The
Brandis, Sen George
Ludwig, Sen Joe
Macdonald, Sen Ian
- Page
2966
- Party
LP
- Presenter
- Status
Final
- Question No.
- Questioner
Mason, Sen Brett
- Responder
Lundy, Sen Kate
- Speaker
- Stage
Education
- Type
- Context
QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
- System Id
chamber/hansards/a100ffa9-3adc-47c2-982a-7e995fa6e144/0091


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Hansard
- Start of Business
- PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTATION
- COMMITTEES
-
BILLS
-
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment Bill 2013
- Second Reading
-
In Committee
- Waters, Sen Larissa
- Conroy, Sen Stephen
- Waters, Sen Larissa
- Conroy, Sen Stephen
- Waters, Sen Larissa
- Conroy, Sen Stephen
- Waters, Sen Larissa
- Conroy, Sen Stephen
- Waters, Sen Larissa
- Conroy, Sen Stephen
- Waters, Sen Larissa
- Conroy, Sen Stephen
- Waters, Sen Larissa
- Conroy, Sen Stephen
- Waters, Sen Larissa
- Conroy, Sen Stephen
- Waters, Sen Larissa
- Conroy, Sen Stephen
- Waters, Sen Larissa
- Conroy, Sen Stephen
- Waters, Sen Larissa
- Conroy, Sen Stephen
- Birmingham, Sen Simon
- Conroy, Sen Stephen
- Birmingham, Sen Simon
- Conroy, Sen Stephen
- Birmingham, Sen Simon
- Conroy, Sen Stephen
- Birmingham, Sen Simon
- Conroy, Sen Stephen
- Birmingham, Sen Simon
- Conroy, Sen Stephen
- Birmingham, Sen Simon
- Conroy, Sen Stephen
- Birmingham, Sen Simon
- Conroy, Sen Stephen
- Birmingham, Sen Simon
- Conroy, Sen Stephen
- Birmingham, Sen Simon
- Conroy, Sen Stephen
- Birmingham, Sen Simon
- Conroy, Sen Stephen
- Birmingham, Sen Simon
- Conroy, Sen Stephen
- Ludlam, Sen Scott
- Conroy, Sen Stephen
- Ludlam, Sen Scott
- Conroy, Sen Stephen
- Ludlam, Sen Scott
- Conroy, Sen Stephen
- Ludlam, Sen Scott
- Conroy, Sen Stephen
- Birmingham, Sen Simon
- Ludlam, Sen Scott
- Birmingham, Sen Simon
-
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment Bill 2013
- QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
- DISTINGUISHED VISITORS
-
QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
-
Science and Research
(McEwen, Sen Anne, Farrell, Sen Don) -
Asylum Seekers
(Scullion, Sen Nigel, Conroy, Sen Stephen) -
National Security
(Ludlam, Sen Scott, Ludwig, Sen Joe) -
Economy
(Cameron, Sen Doug, Wong, Sen Penny) -
Asylum Seekers
(Cash, Sen Michaelia, Conroy, Sen Stephen) -
Iran
(Bishop, Sen Mark, Carr, Sen Bob) -
Education
(Mason, Sen Brett, Lundy, Sen Kate) -
Broadband
(Thorp, Sen Lin, Conroy, Sen Stephen)
-
Science and Research
- QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE: TAKE NOTE OF ANSWERS
- NOTICES
- BUSINESS
- COMMITTEES
- NOTICES
- MOTIONS
- MATTERS OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE
- MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS
- DOCUMENTS
-
COMMITTEES
- Environment and Communications References Committee, Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee, Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee
- Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee, Economics Legislation Committee
- Legislation and References Committees
- Responses to Senate Resolutions
- BUSINESS
- AUDITOR-GENERAL'S REPORTS
-
COMMITTEES
- Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee
- DisabilityCare Australia Committee
- Corporations and Financial Services Committee
- National Capital and External Territories Committee
- Intelligence and Security Committee
- Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Joint Committee
- National Broadband Network Committee
- Human Rights Committee
- Public Accounts and Audit Committee
- DELEGATION REPORTS
- DOCUMENTS
- BILLS
- COMMITTEES
-
BILLS
- Aged Care (Living Longer Living Better) Bill 2013, Australian Aged Care Quality Agency Bill 2013, Australian Aged Care Quality Agency (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2013, Aged Care (Bond Security) Amendment Bill 2013, Aged Care (Bond Security) Levy Amendment Bill 2013
- Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2013-2014, Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2013-2014, Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2013-2014
- Australia Council Bill 2013
- Australia Council (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2013
- International Interests in Mobile Equipment (Cape Town Convention) Bill 2013, International Interests in Mobile Equipment (Cape Town Convention) (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2013
- Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (Increased Concessional Contributions Cap and Other Measures) Bill 2013, Superannuation (Sustaining the Superannuation Contribution Concession) Imposition Bill 2013
- Aboriginal Land Rights and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2013, Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency Bill 2013, Australian Citizenship Amendment (Special Residence Requirements) Bill 2013, Australian Education Bill 2013, Constitution Alteration (Local Government) 2013, Corporations Amendment (Simple Corporate Bonds and Other Measures) Bill 2013, Corporations and Financial Sector Legislation Amendment Bill 2013, Defence Legislation Amendment (Woomera Prohibited Area) Bill 2013, DisabilityCare Australia Fund (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2013, Family Assistance and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2013, Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Amendment Bill 2013, International Fund for Agricultural Development Amendment Bill 2012, International Monetary Agreements Amendment Bill 2013, Parliamentary Service Amendment (Freedom of Information) Bill 2013, Parliamentary Service Amendment (Parliamentary Budget Officer) Bill 2013, Privacy Amendment (Privacy Alerts) Bill 2013, Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status) Bill 2013, Social Security Amendment (Supporting More Australians into Work) Bill 2013, Statute Law Revision Bill 2013, Statute Stocktake (Appropriations) Bill 2013, Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2013 Measures No. 1) Bill 2013, Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2013 Measures No. 2) Bill 2013, Tax Laws Amendment (2013 Measures No. 1) Bill 2013, Tax Laws Amendment (Medicare Levy) Bill 2013
- Australian Jobs Bill 2013
- Private Health Insurance Amendment (Lifetime Health Cover Loading and Other Measures) Bill 2012, Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment (Base Premium) Bill 2013
- Competition and Consumer Amendment Bill 2013, Fair Work Amendment Bill 2013, Higher Education Support Amendment (Asian Century) Bill 2013, Tax Laws Amendment (2013 Measures No. 2) Bill 2013
- Referendum (Machinery Provisions) Amendment Bill 2013, Migration Amendment (Unauthorised Maritime Arrivals and Other Measures) Bill 2012, Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment (Compliance Measures No. 2) Bill 2013, DisabilityCare Australia Fund Bill 2013, Family Trust Distribution Tax (Primary Liability) Amendment (DisabilityCare Australia) Bill 2013, Fringe Benefits Tax Amendment (DisabilityCare Australia) Bill 2013, Income Tax (First Home Saver Accounts Misuse Tax) Amendment (DisabilityCare Australia) Bill 2013, Income Tax Rates Amendment (DisabilityCare Australia) Bill 2013, Income Tax (TFN Withholding Tax (ESS)) Amendment (DisabilityCare Australia) Bill 2013, Medicare Levy Amendment (DisabilityCare Australia) Bill 2013, National Disability Insurance Scheme Legislation Amendment Bill 2013, Superannuation (Excess Untaxed Roll-over Amounts Tax) Amendment (DisabilityCare Australia) Bill 2013, Superannuation (Excess Non-concessional Contributions Tax) Amendment (DisabilityCare Australia) Bill 2013, Superannuation (Excess Concessional Contributions Tax) Amendment (DisabilityCare Australia) Bill 2013, Taxation (Trustee Beneficiary Non-disclosure Tax) (No. 1) Amendment (DisabilityCare Australia) Bill 2013, Taxation (Trustee Beneficiary Non-disclosure Tax) (No. 2) Amendment (DisabilityCare Australia) Bill 2013, Aviation Transport Security Amendment (Inbound Cargo Security Enhancement) Bill 2013, Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Dividend) Bill 2013, Customs and AusCheck Legislation Amendment (Organised Crime and Other Measures) Bill 2013, Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2013, Foreign Affairs Portfolio Miscellaneous Measures Bill 2013, Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Reform of Self Managed Superannuation Funds Supervisory Levy Arrangements) Bill 2013
-
COMMITTEES
- Education, Employment and Workplace Relations References Committee
- Community Affairs Legislation Committee
- Community Affairs Legislation Committee
- Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee
- Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee
- Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee
- Economics Legislation Committee
- Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Committee
- Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Committee
- Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee
- Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee
-
BILLS
-
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment Bill 2013
-
In Committee
- Furner, Sen Mark (The TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN)
- Birmingham, Sen Simon
- McLucas, Sen Jan
- Birmingham, Sen Simon
- Division
- Birmingham, Sen Simon
- McLucas, Sen Jan
- Birmingham, Sen Simon
- McLucas, Sen Jan
- Birmingham, Sen Simon
- McLucas, Sen Jan
- Birmingham, Sen Simon
- Division
- Birmingham, Sen Simon
- McLucas, Sen Jan
- Birmingham, Sen Simon
- Division
- Birmingham, Sen Simon
- McLucas, Sen Jan
- Birmingham, Sen Simon
- McLucas, Sen Jan
- Birmingham, Sen Simon
- McLucas, Sen Jan
- Back, Sen Chris
- Birmingham, Sen Simon
- McLucas, Sen Jan
- Birmingham, Sen Simon
- Division
- CHAIRMAN, The
- Waters, Sen Larissa
-
In Committee
-
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment Bill 2013
- ADJOURNMENT
- DOCUMENTS
Page: 2966
Education
Senator MASON (Queensland) (14:50): My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth, Senator Lundy. I refer the minister to reports in The Daily Telegraph that Labor MPs and senators were called on by the spin doctors in the caucus communications team to campaign for the government's schools strategy at school gates. Can the minister advise how many of her colleagues actually complied and campaigned at schools? Can the minister give the Senate an assurance that, in every case, the presence of a Labor politician at a school's gates had the permission of the school?
Senator LUNDY (Australian Capital Territory—Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Sport) (14:51): I thank Senator Mason for the opportunity to speak today about our National Plan for School Improvement. Along with many of my colleagues in the government, we are proud to be campaigning on this policy. This policy will transform education in Australia. The Gonski review has provided the framework and we are enacting those recommendations. Why? Because Labor has always been the party for improving education in Australia. We have a plan to improve our schools—
Opposition senators interjecting—
The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Lundy is entitled to be heard in silence.
Senator LUNDY: It is only Labor in government that chooses a stronger, smarter and fairer Australia, and that comes about in part by investing in education.
Senator Brandis: Mr President, a point of order on the question of direct relevance: the minister is not quite halfway through her answer. She was asked how many of her colleagues engaged in a particular piece of political theatre and whether, in each case, it had the permission of the school authorities. A wide answer about the Gonski report is not directly relevant to either of those two topics.
Senator Ludwig: I am a bit rusty, Mr President, but on the point of order: Senator Lundy was answering the question. The question was far broader than that. It also went to issues around how this government is campaigning for better schools, and of course that is what Senator Lundy is also advising the Senate about.
The PRESIDENT: There is no point of order.
Senator LUNDY: As I have said, I join many of my colleagues in visiting schools, and one of the reasons for that is that I am incredibly proud of the $9.8 billion that our budget delivers to the National Plan for School Improvement over the next six years. We want to see funding to schools increase, and the issue for Labor is very much about the extent to which the opposition seems hell-bent on preventing this unprecedented level of investment in Australian schools.
We have the opportunity of a generation. We have received the independent advice from Gonski and we are implementing it. We are proud to campaign on these issues. It is incredibly important that the people of Australia understand the breadth and dimension of this investment. We have also seen a number of states—
Senator Ian Macdonald: Mr President, I rise on a point of order on the grounds of relevance. The minister was asked: did those who attended get the permission of the schools involved? I am waiting to hear that answer.
The PRESIDENT: The question was broader than that. But you are quite correct; that was part of the question. There is no point of order at this stage.
Senator LUNDY: I presume all of the participants who made those visits put in place the appropriate procedures. Regardless of that, it does not detract from the point that this is the best the opposition can do in making a contribution to education policy. This is the best they can do. (Time expired)
Senator MASON (Queensland) (14:55): Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Given that the government says that its Gonski school reforms are crucial and need to be urgently signed up to by all states by the end of this month, why isn't the government introducing the bills that it says will free up funding for this policy, such as amendments implementing the $2.3 billion higher education cuts announced in April?
Senator LUNDY (Australian Capital Territory—Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Sport) (14:55): Again I say to the opposition: we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve school funding, through our National Plan for School Improvement. Obviously, to legislate for these changes we need to identify the sources of funds that will help fund this unprecedented opportunity and, in doing so, we will bring forward the legislation.
What I find unfathomable and what the Australian people are asking of the opposition is why on earth they would reject such a visionary plan for our schools. Why are they so intent on unpicking the plan that is now before us? We have already seen their New South Wales counterparts come on board with the National Plan for School Improvement. We have seen their colleagues in the South Australian government come on board. I am very proud to see the ACT government has come on board, and we know that other states are actively contemplating the merits of the National Plan for School Improvement. (Time expired)
Senator MASON (Queensland) (14:57): Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Given the government's own figures show schools will be waiting until 2019 for the rivers of gold that Labor is promising to start flowing—that is, six years and three elections away—instead of ambushing parents and students shouldn't Labor MPs and senators be lobbying for a better deal for their schools outside the Prime Minister's front gate?
Senator LUNDY (Australian Capital Territory—Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Sport) (14:57): Reform of the magnitude that we are embarking on takes time, and it is very important to get it right. The Prime Minister has put in place an offer to those states that are now contemplating that agreement. We know that schools will start to see the increases in funding from 2014 and we would like to get this program started as soon as possible. Why? Because it is important. As a nation we need to keep pace with the challenges of the future, and that includes ensuring that we have a productive and highly skilled workforce for the future. This means education is now the right place to make our investment as a nation. That is what we are trying to achieve with our National Plan for School Improvement. We are seeking to put that plan in place now and we are saying to the opposition: take some leadership from the New South Wales government; sign up now. (Time expired)