Mr BURKE - 2002-08-22
I refer to the fact the Treasurer has made much in the House today of the inability of the opposition - in fact, the ignorance of the opposition - in understanding this budget. You would be aware, I hope, of a media release by the federal Education Minister where a preliminary analysis by the federal Department of Education, Science and Training, which has done a preliminary analysis of your budget, have said:
The Northern Territory budget papers indicate government school funding in 2002-03 of $339.3m, a claimed increase of 11.4% on the estimated outcome for 2001-02. A preliminary analysis by the federal Department of Education, Science and Training has shown that the Northern Territory government has actually increased funding to its government schools by 5.6%.
They go on to say that, if you had even matched the Commonwealth funding, you would have put an additional $4m into your schools.
Minister, has the federal Department of Education, Science and Training the same ignorance as the opposition?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. In relation to what the Department of Education, Science and Training has put out, I do profess absolute ignorance. I have not seen the press release, it has not been brought to my attention. In any case, I would need to check the figures therein, that he is quoting.
Can I say that schools, principals and the education union itself, are absolutely delighted with the education budget for this year. The secretary of the Australian Education Union said, two nights ago on TV: ‘Best budget for education in 10 years’. That, to me, is far more noteworthy than what the federal Department of Education, Science and Training may be saying. Nonetheless, I will seek to get a copy of that press release and see where they are coming from, because I find it disappointing that the Leader of the Opposition should pop up in here with this note seeking to create some division and difference between the federal department and our department in the Northern Territory. I can tell him that our relations, department to department, officer level to officer level, minister to minister, are 2000 times better than they ever were under my predecessor, the CLP minister for education, and the federal government then. I have stood publicly in the Northern Territory, and I have stood in this Assembly and commended federal minister Brendan Nelson for his attitude and cooperation with the Northern Territory government, and I look forward to continuing that relationship.
In relation to schools funding, I was at Leanyer School during the week and we announced the 21% increase in the base funding for schools. In the case of Leanyer School, the principal, Mr Henry Gray, was absolutely delighted to hear that. He had a grin from ear to ear that nothing would wipe. In the case of Leanyer - and the member for Wanguri was there - I think the figure meant something like $8589 extra to that school. It is per capita based, so every school council in the Northern Territory will benefit from that additional funding. It was bumped up by 21.3% this year – it had not been touched since 1993-94 - and ongoing from the next financial year in the sense that it will be indexed. That, more than anything else, pleased principal Henry Gray and, indeed, every other principal throughout the Northern Territory.
Mr Burke: Madam Speaker, I seek leave to table the press release.
Leave granted.
The Northern Territory budget papers indicate government school funding in 2002-03 of $339.3m, a claimed increase of 11.4% on the estimated outcome for 2001-02. A preliminary analysis by the federal Department of Education, Science and Training has shown that the Northern Territory government has actually increased funding to its government schools by 5.6%.
They go on to say that, if you had even matched the Commonwealth funding, you would have put an additional $4m into your schools.
Minister, has the federal Department of Education, Science and Training the same ignorance as the opposition?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. In relation to what the Department of Education, Science and Training has put out, I do profess absolute ignorance. I have not seen the press release, it has not been brought to my attention. In any case, I would need to check the figures therein, that he is quoting.
Can I say that schools, principals and the education union itself, are absolutely delighted with the education budget for this year. The secretary of the Australian Education Union said, two nights ago on TV: ‘Best budget for education in 10 years’. That, to me, is far more noteworthy than what the federal Department of Education, Science and Training may be saying. Nonetheless, I will seek to get a copy of that press release and see where they are coming from, because I find it disappointing that the Leader of the Opposition should pop up in here with this note seeking to create some division and difference between the federal department and our department in the Northern Territory. I can tell him that our relations, department to department, officer level to officer level, minister to minister, are 2000 times better than they ever were under my predecessor, the CLP minister for education, and the federal government then. I have stood publicly in the Northern Territory, and I have stood in this Assembly and commended federal minister Brendan Nelson for his attitude and cooperation with the Northern Territory government, and I look forward to continuing that relationship.
In relation to schools funding, I was at Leanyer School during the week and we announced the 21% increase in the base funding for schools. In the case of Leanyer School, the principal, Mr Henry Gray, was absolutely delighted to hear that. He had a grin from ear to ear that nothing would wipe. In the case of Leanyer - and the member for Wanguri was there - I think the figure meant something like $8589 extra to that school. It is per capita based, so every school council in the Northern Territory will benefit from that additional funding. It was bumped up by 21.3% this year – it had not been touched since 1993-94 - and ongoing from the next financial year in the sense that it will be indexed. That, more than anything else, pleased principal Henry Gray and, indeed, every other principal throughout the Northern Territory.
Mr Burke: Madam Speaker, I seek leave to table the press release.
Leave granted.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016