❓ The Minister for Education criticises the federal government's direct funding model for school capital works, arguing it undermines state control and creates inequity. He challenges the opposition leader to take a stance against the federal approach.
AnsweredQoN 184Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Is the minister aware of any federal government budget proposals that will reduce Western Australia’s control over it own education system? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
Yes, I am aware of many of them. The relationship evolving between the commonwealth and the state in the field of education and training is unfortunate, unwise, damaging and totally unproductive for the outcome of good education in Western Australia. During the four years I was the Minister for Education and Training, the commonwealth contribution to capital works in government schools in Western Australia remained between $22 million and $23 million. That is less than it was in 1993, when it was $25 million. Last week, the federal government delivered on its promise to provide approximately $163 million additional across Australia for capital works programs in schools. However, it will not do that via the state governments; rather, it will do it via direct application from parents and citizens associations and the schools themselves. That is an absurd model. I was disappointed to say the least when the shadow Minister for Education and Training in the other place supported that model. It can deliver only chaos. It is a ridiculous model, and it puts in sharp perspective the ideological approach that the commonwealth government is taking in its relationship with the states. It is not thinking about good outcomes for young people, children in particular. One commentary encapsulated the criticism of that move perfectly. That commentary reads - I think it will also be highly inequitable because you would get schools in middle-upper income areas with skilled and qualified parents able to put in (funding) proposals and struggling schools - struggling to compete with these areas - and it essentially politicises the issue . . . The Commonwealth is a bigger player in the non-government sector but in the government sector, where most children are educated, the State Government is still a bigger player and for the Commonwealth to now come in and try to play around the edges, I think threatens what is a very good education system . . . I ask the Leader of the Opposition: does he agree with that sentiment? Over the past few days I have heard the Leader of the Opposition say that there is no interest in the battle between the states and the commonwealth over proper financial and other relationships. There is. The commentary I just read out was given by the member for Cottesloe. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Does the member for Darling Range agree with the member for Cottesloe on this issue? Mr J.H.D. Day : Yes I do. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There must be some consistency from the opposition. We heard that it stood almost man to woman on a particular issue. There is complete division in the opposition ranks over a range of issues. This issue is one of them. No matter the hue of a commonwealth government, it is ridiculous that members of a Western Australian Parliament should support this sort of approach to service delivery in the states. We are seeing that approach on a daily basis. The Leader of the Opposition has an opportunity to rise above very poor advice and establish himself with some sort of credibility in not only Western Australia but also nationally, and as a person who is prepared to stand up for what is good for not only Western Australia, but also the whole country. What the federal government is developing nationally at a policy level is terribly destructive to our nation. The Leader of the Opposition has an opportunity - Mr J.H.D. Day : If you’ve got a question for him, ask him. We can govern from opposition. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I challenge the Leader of the Opposition to publicly support the member for Cottesloe, and now the member for Darling Range, and to castigate his shadow spokesperson in the upper house for his unfortunate position, or remain silent and be condemned by that silence.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: Yes, I am aware of many of them. The relationship evolving between the commonwealth and the state in the field of education and training is unfortunate, unwise, damaging and totally unproductive for the outcome of good education in Western Australia. During the four years I was the Minister for Education and Training, the commonwealth contribution to capital works in government schools in Western Australia remained between $22 million and $23 million. That is less than it was in 1993, when it was $25 million. Last week, the federal government delivered on its promise to provide approximately $163 million additional across Australia for capital works programs in schools. However, it will not do that via the state governments; rather, it will do it via direct application from parents and citizens associations and the schools themselves. That is an absurd model. I was disappointed to say the least when the shadow Minister for Education and Training in the other place supported that model. It can deliver only chaos. It is a ridiculous model, and it puts in sharp perspective the ideological approach that the commonwealth government is taking in its relationship with the states. It is not thinking about good outcomes for young people, children in particular. One commentary encapsulated the criticism of that move perfectly. That commentary reads - I think it will also be highly inequitable because you would get schools in middle-upper income areas with skilled and qualified parents able to put in (funding) proposals and struggling schools - struggling to compete with these areas - and it essentially politicises the issue . . . The Commonwealth is a bigger player in the non-government sector but in the government sector, where most children are educated, the State Government is still a bigger player and for the Commonwealth to now come in and try to play around the edges, I think threatens what is a very good education system . . . I ask the Leader of the Opposition: does he agree with that sentiment? Over the past few days I have heard the Leader of the Opposition say that there is no interest in the battle between the states and the commonwealth over proper financial and other relationships. There is. The commentary I just read out was given by the member for Cottesloe. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Does the member for Darling Range agree with the member for Cottesloe on this issue? Mr J.H.D. Day : Yes I do. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There must be some consistency from the opposition. We heard that it stood almost man to woman on a particular issue. There is complete division in the opposition ranks over a range of issues. This issue is one of them. No matter the hue of a commonwealth government, it is ridiculous that members of a Western Australian Parliament should support this sort of approach to service delivery in the states. We are seeing that approach on a daily basis. The Leader of the Opposition has an opportunity to rise above very poor advice and establish himself with some sort of credibility in not only Western Australia but also nationally, and as a person who is prepared to stand up for what is good for not only Western Australia, but also the whole country. What the federal government is developing nationally at a policy level is terribly destructive to our nation. The Leader of the Opposition has an opportunity - Mr J.H.D. Day : If you’ve got a question for him, ask him. We can govern from opposition. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I challenge the Leader of the Opposition to publicly support the member for Cottesloe, and now the member for Darling Range, and to castigate his shadow spokesperson in the upper house for his unfortunate position, or remain silent and be condemned by that silence.
Yes, I am aware of many of them. The relationship evolving between the commonwealth and the state in the field of education and training is unfortunate, unwise, damaging and totally unproductive for the outcome of good education in Western Australia. During the four years I was the Minister for Education and Training, the commonwealth contribution to capital works in government schools in Western Australia remained between $22 million and $23 million. That is less than it was in 1993, when it was $25 million. Last week, the federal government delivered on its promise to provide approximately $163 million additional across Australia for capital works programs in schools. However, it will not do that via the state governments; rather, it will do it via direct application from parents and citizens associations and the schools themselves. That is an absurd model. I was disappointed to say the least when the shadow Minister for Education and Training in the other place supported that model. It can deliver only chaos. It is a ridiculous model, and it puts in sharp perspective the ideological approach that the commonwealth government is taking in its relationship with the states. It is not thinking about good outcomes for young people, children in particular. One commentary encapsulated the criticism of that move perfectly. That commentary reads - I think it will also be highly inequitable because you would get schools in middle-upper income areas with skilled and qualified parents able to put in (funding) proposals and struggling schools - struggling to compete with these areas - and it essentially politicises the issue . . . The Commonwealth is a bigger player in the non-government sector but in the government sector, where most children are educated, the State Government is still a bigger player and for the Commonwealth to now come in and try to play around the edges, I think threatens what is a very good education system . . . I ask the Leader of the Opposition: does he agree with that sentiment? Over the past few days I have heard the Leader of the Opposition say that there is no interest in the battle between the states and the commonwealth over proper financial and other relationships. There is. The commentary I just read out was given by the member for Cottesloe. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Does the member for Darling Range agree with the member for Cottesloe on this issue? Mr J.H.D. Day : Yes I do. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There must be some consistency from the opposition. We heard that it stood almost man to woman on a particular issue. There is complete division in the opposition ranks over a range of issues. This issue is one of them. No matter the hue of a commonwealth government, it is ridiculous that members of a Western Australian Parliament should support this sort of approach to service delivery in the states. We are seeing that approach on a daily basis. The Leader of the Opposition has an opportunity to rise above very poor advice and establish himself with some sort of credibility in not only Western Australia but also nationally, and as a person who is prepared to stand up for what is good for not only Western Australia, but also the whole country. What the federal government is developing nationally at a policy level is terribly destructive to our nation. The Leader of the Opposition has an opportunity - Mr J.H.D. Day : If you’ve got a question for him, ask him. We can govern from opposition. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I challenge the Leader of the Opposition to publicly support the member for Cottesloe, and now the member for Darling Range, and to castigate his shadow spokesperson in the upper house for his unfortunate position, or remain silent and be condemned by that silence.
The Commonwealth is a bigger player in the non-government sector but in the government sector, where most children are educated, the State Government is still a bigger player and for the Commonwealth to now come in and try to play around the edges, I think threatens what is a very good education system . . .
Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Does the member for Darling Range agree with the member for Cottesloe on this issue? Mr J.H.D. Day : Yes I do. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There must be some consistency from the opposition. We heard that it stood almost man to woman on a particular issue. There is complete division in the opposition ranks over a range of issues. This issue is one of them. No matter the hue of a commonwealth government, it is ridiculous that members of a Western Australian Parliament should support this sort of approach to service delivery in the states. We are seeing that approach on a daily basis. The Leader of the Opposition has an opportunity to rise above very poor advice and establish himself with some sort of credibility in not only Western Australia but also nationally, and as a person who is prepared to stand up for what is good for not only Western Australia, but also the whole country. What the federal government is developing nationally at a policy level is terribly destructive to our nation. The Leader of the Opposition has an opportunity - Mr J.H.D. Day : If you’ve got a question for him, ask him. We can govern from opposition. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I challenge the Leader of the Opposition to publicly support the member for Cottesloe, and now the member for Darling Range, and to castigate his shadow spokesperson in the upper house for his unfortunate position, or remain silent and be condemned by that silence.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Does the member for Darling Range agree with the member for Cottesloe on this issue? Mr J.H.D. Day : Yes I do. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There must be some consistency from the opposition. We heard that it stood almost man to woman on a particular issue. There is complete division in the opposition ranks over a range of issues. This issue is one of them. No matter the hue of a commonwealth government, it is ridiculous that members of a Western Australian Parliament should support this sort of approach to service delivery in the states. We are seeing that approach on a daily basis. The Leader of the Opposition has an opportunity to rise above very poor advice and establish himself with some sort of credibility in not only Western Australia but also nationally, and as a person who is prepared to stand up for what is good for not only Western Australia, but also the whole country. What the federal government is developing nationally at a policy level is terribly destructive to our nation. The Leader of the Opposition has an opportunity - Mr J.H.D. Day : If you’ve got a question for him, ask him. We can govern from opposition. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I challenge the Leader of the Opposition to publicly support the member for Cottesloe, and now the member for Darling Range, and to castigate his shadow spokesperson in the upper house for his unfortunate position, or remain silent and be condemned by that silence.
Mr J.H.D. Day : Yes I do. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There must be some consistency from the opposition. We heard that it stood almost man to woman on a particular issue. There is complete division in the opposition ranks over a range of issues. This issue is one of them. No matter the hue of a commonwealth government, it is ridiculous that members of a Western Australian Parliament should support this sort of approach to service delivery in the states. We are seeing that approach on a daily basis. The Leader of the Opposition has an opportunity to rise above very poor advice and establish himself with some sort of credibility in not only Western Australia but also nationally, and as a person who is prepared to stand up for what is good for not only Western Australia, but also the whole country. What the federal government is developing nationally at a policy level is terribly destructive to our nation. The Leader of the Opposition has an opportunity - Mr J.H.D. Day : If you’ve got a question for him, ask him. We can govern from opposition. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I challenge the Leader of the Opposition to publicly support the member for Cottesloe, and now the member for Darling Range, and to castigate his shadow spokesperson in the upper house for his unfortunate position, or remain silent and be condemned by that silence.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There must be some consistency from the opposition. We heard that it stood almost man to woman on a particular issue. There is complete division in the opposition ranks over a range of issues. This issue is one of them. No matter the hue of a commonwealth government, it is ridiculous that members of a Western Australian Parliament should support this sort of approach to service delivery in the states. We are seeing that approach on a daily basis. The Leader of the Opposition has an opportunity to rise above very poor advice and establish himself with some sort of credibility in not only Western Australia but also nationally, and as a person who is prepared to stand up for what is good for not only Western Australia, but also the whole country. What the federal government is developing nationally at a policy level is terribly destructive to our nation. The Leader of the Opposition has an opportunity - Mr J.H.D. Day : If you’ve got a question for him, ask him. We can govern from opposition. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I challenge the Leader of the Opposition to publicly support the member for Cottesloe, and now the member for Darling Range, and to castigate his shadow spokesperson in the upper house for his unfortunate position, or remain silent and be condemned by that silence.
Mr J.H.D. Day : If you’ve got a question for him, ask him. We can govern from opposition. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I challenge the Leader of the Opposition to publicly support the member for Cottesloe, and now the member for Darling Range, and to castigate his shadow spokesperson in the upper house for his unfortunate position, or remain silent and be condemned by that silence.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I challenge the Leader of the Opposition to publicly support the member for Cottesloe, and now the member for Darling Range, and to castigate his shadow spokesperson in the upper house for his unfortunate position, or remain silent and be condemned by that silence.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: Yes, I am aware of many of them. The relationship evolving between the commonwealth and the state in the field of education and training is unfortunate, unwise, damaging and totally unproductive for the outcome of good education in Western Australia. During the four years I was the Minister for Education and Training, the commonwealth contribution to capital works in government schools in Western Australia remained between $22 million and $23 million. That is less than it was in 1993, when it was $25 million. Last week, the federal government delivered on its promise to provide approximately $163 million additional across Australia for capital works programs in schools. However, it will not do that via the state governments; rather, it will do it via direct application from parents and citizens associations and the schools themselves. That is an absurd model. I was disappointed to say the least when the shadow Minister for Education and Training in the other place supported that model. It can deliver only chaos. It is a ridiculous model, and it puts in sharp perspective the ideological approach that the commonwealth government is taking in its relationship with the states. It is not thinking about good outcomes for young people, children in particular. One commentary encapsulated the criticism of that move perfectly. That commentary reads - I think it will also be highly inequitable because you would get schools in middle-upper income areas with skilled and qualified parents able to put in (funding) proposals and struggling schools - struggling to compete with these areas - and it essentially politicises the issue . . . The Commonwealth is a bigger player in the non-government sector but in the government sector, where most children are educated, the State Government is still a bigger player and for the Commonwealth to now come in and try to play around the edges, I think threatens what is a very good education system . . . I ask the Leader of the Opposition: does he agree with that sentiment? Over the past few days I have heard the Leader of the Opposition say that there is no interest in the battle between the states and the commonwealth over proper financial and other relationships. There is. The commentary I just read out was given by the member for Cottesloe. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Does the member for Darling Range agree with the member for Cottesloe on this issue? Mr J.H.D. Day : Yes I do. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There must be some consistency from the opposition. We heard that it stood almost man to woman on a particular issue. There is complete division in the opposition ranks over a range of issues. This issue is one of them. No matter the hue of a commonwealth government, it is ridiculous that members of a Western Australian Parliament should support this sort of approach to service delivery in the states. We are seeing that approach on a daily basis. The Leader of the Opposition has an opportunity to rise above very poor advice and establish himself with some sort of credibility in not only Western Australia but also nationally, and as a person who is prepared to stand up for what is good for not only Western Australia, but also the whole country. What the federal government is developing nationally at a policy level is terribly destructive to our nation. The Leader of the Opposition has an opportunity - Mr J.H.D. Day : If you’ve got a question for him, ask him. We can govern from opposition. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I challenge the Leader of the Opposition to publicly support the member for Cottesloe, and now the member for Darling Range, and to castigate his shadow spokesperson in the upper house for his unfortunate position, or remain silent and be condemned by that silence.
Yes, I am aware of many of them. The relationship evolving between the commonwealth and the state in the field of education and training is unfortunate, unwise, damaging and totally unproductive for the outcome of good education in Western Australia. During the four years I was the Minister for Education and Training, the commonwealth contribution to capital works in government schools in Western Australia remained between $22 million and $23 million. That is less than it was in 1993, when it was $25 million. Last week, the federal government delivered on its promise to provide approximately $163 million additional across Australia for capital works programs in schools. However, it will not do that via the state governments; rather, it will do it via direct application from parents and citizens associations and the schools themselves. That is an absurd model. I was disappointed to say the least when the shadow Minister for Education and Training in the other place supported that model. It can deliver only chaos. It is a ridiculous model, and it puts in sharp perspective the ideological approach that the commonwealth government is taking in its relationship with the states. It is not thinking about good outcomes for young people, children in particular. One commentary encapsulated the criticism of that move perfectly. That commentary reads - I think it will also be highly inequitable because you would get schools in middle-upper income areas with skilled and qualified parents able to put in (funding) proposals and struggling schools - struggling to compete with these areas - and it essentially politicises the issue . . . The Commonwealth is a bigger player in the non-government sector but in the government sector, where most children are educated, the State Government is still a bigger player and for the Commonwealth to now come in and try to play around the edges, I think threatens what is a very good education system . . . I ask the Leader of the Opposition: does he agree with that sentiment? Over the past few days I have heard the Leader of the Opposition say that there is no interest in the battle between the states and the commonwealth over proper financial and other relationships. There is. The commentary I just read out was given by the member for Cottesloe. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Does the member for Darling Range agree with the member for Cottesloe on this issue? Mr J.H.D. Day : Yes I do. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There must be some consistency from the opposition. We heard that it stood almost man to woman on a particular issue. There is complete division in the opposition ranks over a range of issues. This issue is one of them. No matter the hue of a commonwealth government, it is ridiculous that members of a Western Australian Parliament should support this sort of approach to service delivery in the states. We are seeing that approach on a daily basis. The Leader of the Opposition has an opportunity to rise above very poor advice and establish himself with some sort of credibility in not only Western Australia but also nationally, and as a person who is prepared to stand up for what is good for not only Western Australia, but also the whole country. What the federal government is developing nationally at a policy level is terribly destructive to our nation. The Leader of the Opposition has an opportunity - Mr J.H.D. Day : If you’ve got a question for him, ask him. We can govern from opposition. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I challenge the Leader of the Opposition to publicly support the member for Cottesloe, and now the member for Darling Range, and to castigate his shadow spokesperson in the upper house for his unfortunate position, or remain silent and be condemned by that silence.
The Commonwealth is a bigger player in the non-government sector but in the government sector, where most children are educated, the State Government is still a bigger player and for the Commonwealth to now come in and try to play around the edges, I think threatens what is a very good education system . . .
Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Does the member for Darling Range agree with the member for Cottesloe on this issue? Mr J.H.D. Day : Yes I do. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There must be some consistency from the opposition. We heard that it stood almost man to woman on a particular issue. There is complete division in the opposition ranks over a range of issues. This issue is one of them. No matter the hue of a commonwealth government, it is ridiculous that members of a Western Australian Parliament should support this sort of approach to service delivery in the states. We are seeing that approach on a daily basis. The Leader of the Opposition has an opportunity to rise above very poor advice and establish himself with some sort of credibility in not only Western Australia but also nationally, and as a person who is prepared to stand up for what is good for not only Western Australia, but also the whole country. What the federal government is developing nationally at a policy level is terribly destructive to our nation. The Leader of the Opposition has an opportunity - Mr J.H.D. Day : If you’ve got a question for him, ask him. We can govern from opposition. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I challenge the Leader of the Opposition to publicly support the member for Cottesloe, and now the member for Darling Range, and to castigate his shadow spokesperson in the upper house for his unfortunate position, or remain silent and be condemned by that silence.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Does the member for Darling Range agree with the member for Cottesloe on this issue? Mr J.H.D. Day : Yes I do. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There must be some consistency from the opposition. We heard that it stood almost man to woman on a particular issue. There is complete division in the opposition ranks over a range of issues. This issue is one of them. No matter the hue of a commonwealth government, it is ridiculous that members of a Western Australian Parliament should support this sort of approach to service delivery in the states. We are seeing that approach on a daily basis. The Leader of the Opposition has an opportunity to rise above very poor advice and establish himself with some sort of credibility in not only Western Australia but also nationally, and as a person who is prepared to stand up for what is good for not only Western Australia, but also the whole country. What the federal government is developing nationally at a policy level is terribly destructive to our nation. The Leader of the Opposition has an opportunity - Mr J.H.D. Day : If you’ve got a question for him, ask him. We can govern from opposition. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I challenge the Leader of the Opposition to publicly support the member for Cottesloe, and now the member for Darling Range, and to castigate his shadow spokesperson in the upper house for his unfortunate position, or remain silent and be condemned by that silence.
Mr J.H.D. Day : Yes I do. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There must be some consistency from the opposition. We heard that it stood almost man to woman on a particular issue. There is complete division in the opposition ranks over a range of issues. This issue is one of them. No matter the hue of a commonwealth government, it is ridiculous that members of a Western Australian Parliament should support this sort of approach to service delivery in the states. We are seeing that approach on a daily basis. The Leader of the Opposition has an opportunity to rise above very poor advice and establish himself with some sort of credibility in not only Western Australia but also nationally, and as a person who is prepared to stand up for what is good for not only Western Australia, but also the whole country. What the federal government is developing nationally at a policy level is terribly destructive to our nation. The Leader of the Opposition has an opportunity - Mr J.H.D. Day : If you’ve got a question for him, ask him. We can govern from opposition. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I challenge the Leader of the Opposition to publicly support the member for Cottesloe, and now the member for Darling Range, and to castigate his shadow spokesperson in the upper house for his unfortunate position, or remain silent and be condemned by that silence.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : There must be some consistency from the opposition. We heard that it stood almost man to woman on a particular issue. There is complete division in the opposition ranks over a range of issues. This issue is one of them. No matter the hue of a commonwealth government, it is ridiculous that members of a Western Australian Parliament should support this sort of approach to service delivery in the states. We are seeing that approach on a daily basis. The Leader of the Opposition has an opportunity to rise above very poor advice and establish himself with some sort of credibility in not only Western Australia but also nationally, and as a person who is prepared to stand up for what is good for not only Western Australia, but also the whole country. What the federal government is developing nationally at a policy level is terribly destructive to our nation. The Leader of the Opposition has an opportunity - Mr J.H.D. Day : If you’ve got a question for him, ask him. We can govern from opposition. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I challenge the Leader of the Opposition to publicly support the member for Cottesloe, and now the member for Darling Range, and to castigate his shadow spokesperson in the upper house for his unfortunate position, or remain silent and be condemned by that silence.
Mr J.H.D. Day : If you’ve got a question for him, ask him. We can govern from opposition. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I challenge the Leader of the Opposition to publicly support the member for Cottesloe, and now the member for Darling Range, and to castigate his shadow spokesperson in the upper house for his unfortunate position, or remain silent and be condemned by that silence.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : I challenge the Leader of the Opposition to publicly support the member for Cottesloe, and now the member for Darling Range, and to castigate his shadow spokesperson in the upper house for his unfortunate position, or remain silent and be condemned by that silence.
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