❓ The WA Minister for Education responds to a question about federal funding for Melville Primary School, expressing skepticism and criticising the federal government's funding model for education, particularly the disparity between funding for public and private schools. He requests to see the letter from the federal minister before giving a more informed response.
AnsweredQoN 905Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Will the minister agree to a request by the federal Minister for Education, Science and Training to reconsider the sale of surplus land at Melville Primary School as a means of funding a replacement school? (2) Will the minister accept a proposal by the federal minister to use commonwealth funds for the project by applying for funds under the federal Government’s capital grants program? (3) If not, why not? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(3) That is quite a remarkable question. As far as I am aware, I have not received any information from the federal Minister for Education, Science and Training, Hon Dr Brendan Nelson, suggesting that the federal Government is prepared to provide funds to the State Government for the redevelopment of the Melville Primary School. Dr J.M. Woollard: I have a copy of the letter. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I would like to see the letter. Perhaps when the member furnishes me with it, I will make a more informed response. I will make a couple of general points, some of which I have made before. I live in Melville. My children go to the Melville Primary School. I am aware of all the issues. The best outcome for that school is for a new primary school to be built on the proposed site. No matter which Government makes the decision, there will always be people who do not like the proposed redevelopment. However, I am sure that when the redevelopment has been completed and the children in that school - including my youngest child who will still be there by the time the redevelopment is completed - are able to take advantage of the new educational environment, everybody will concede and agree - the majority already do - that the decision I have made is the right decision. I would be surprised if any largesse from the federal minister were forthcoming. I said to Brendan Nelson’s face that currently the federal Government is chronically underfunding public education in Western Australia. Mr J.H.D. Day: They have increased it by more than you have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: That is not the case. The member should ask the former Minister for Education about it. His remarks will probably be consistent with mine. The federal Government’s funding arrangements for secondary and primary education are nothing short of absolutely scandalous. At the moment, for example - Dr J.M. Woollard: How about answering the question? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am answering the second part of the member’s question. Students in the high-fee-paying schools in Western Australia - those schools that charge $10 500 per student - receive up to five times the amount of money per child that the average government school receives. In other words, government students receive approximately $700 from the federal Government towards their education through the education system. An opposition member interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am not referring to the Catholic education system; I am referring to the high-fee-paying schools. Some of the high-fee-paying schools are receiving from $2 500 to $3 000 a student. They have received increases in funding from the federal Government of between 150 and 200 per cent. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: My friend the member for Darling Range is running the risk - Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
(2) Will the minister accept a proposal by the federal minister to use commonwealth funds for the project by applying for funds under the federal Government’s capital grants program? (3) If not, why not? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) That is quite a remarkable question. As far as I am aware, I have not received any information from the federal Minister for Education, Science and Training, Hon Dr Brendan Nelson, suggesting that the federal Government is prepared to provide funds to the State Government for the redevelopment of the Melville Primary School. Dr J.M. Woollard: I have a copy of the letter. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I would like to see the letter. Perhaps when the member furnishes me with it, I will make a more informed response. I will make a couple of general points, some of which I have made before. I live in Melville. My children go to the Melville Primary School. I am aware of all the issues. The best outcome for that school is for a new primary school to be built on the proposed site. No matter which Government makes the decision, there will always be people who do not like the proposed redevelopment. However, I am sure that when the redevelopment has been completed and the children in that school - including my youngest child who will still be there by the time the redevelopment is completed - are able to take advantage of the new educational environment, everybody will concede and agree - the majority already do - that the decision I have made is the right decision. I would be surprised if any largesse from the federal minister were forthcoming. I said to Brendan Nelson’s face that currently the federal Government is chronically underfunding public education in Western Australia. Mr J.H.D. Day: They have increased it by more than you have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: That is not the case. The member should ask the former Minister for Education about it. His remarks will probably be consistent with mine. The federal Government’s funding arrangements for secondary and primary education are nothing short of absolutely scandalous. At the moment, for example - Dr J.M. Woollard: How about answering the question? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am answering the second part of the member’s question. Students in the high-fee-paying schools in Western Australia - those schools that charge $10 500 per student - receive up to five times the amount of money per child that the average government school receives. In other words, government students receive approximately $700 from the federal Government towards their education through the education system. An opposition member interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am not referring to the Catholic education system; I am referring to the high-fee-paying schools. Some of the high-fee-paying schools are receiving from $2 500 to $3 000 a student. They have received increases in funding from the federal Government of between 150 and 200 per cent. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: My friend the member for Darling Range is running the risk - Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
(3) If not, why not? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) That is quite a remarkable question. As far as I am aware, I have not received any information from the federal Minister for Education, Science and Training, Hon Dr Brendan Nelson, suggesting that the federal Government is prepared to provide funds to the State Government for the redevelopment of the Melville Primary School. Dr J.M. Woollard: I have a copy of the letter. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I would like to see the letter. Perhaps when the member furnishes me with it, I will make a more informed response. I will make a couple of general points, some of which I have made before. I live in Melville. My children go to the Melville Primary School. I am aware of all the issues. The best outcome for that school is for a new primary school to be built on the proposed site. No matter which Government makes the decision, there will always be people who do not like the proposed redevelopment. However, I am sure that when the redevelopment has been completed and the children in that school - including my youngest child who will still be there by the time the redevelopment is completed - are able to take advantage of the new educational environment, everybody will concede and agree - the majority already do - that the decision I have made is the right decision. I would be surprised if any largesse from the federal minister were forthcoming. I said to Brendan Nelson’s face that currently the federal Government is chronically underfunding public education in Western Australia. Mr J.H.D. Day: They have increased it by more than you have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: That is not the case. The member should ask the former Minister for Education about it. His remarks will probably be consistent with mine. The federal Government’s funding arrangements for secondary and primary education are nothing short of absolutely scandalous. At the moment, for example - Dr J.M. Woollard: How about answering the question? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am answering the second part of the member’s question. Students in the high-fee-paying schools in Western Australia - those schools that charge $10 500 per student - receive up to five times the amount of money per child that the average government school receives. In other words, government students receive approximately $700 from the federal Government towards their education through the education system. An opposition member interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am not referring to the Catholic education system; I am referring to the high-fee-paying schools. Some of the high-fee-paying schools are receiving from $2 500 to $3 000 a student. They have received increases in funding from the federal Government of between 150 and 200 per cent. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: My friend the member for Darling Range is running the risk - Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) That is quite a remarkable question. As far as I am aware, I have not received any information from the federal Minister for Education, Science and Training, Hon Dr Brendan Nelson, suggesting that the federal Government is prepared to provide funds to the State Government for the redevelopment of the Melville Primary School. Dr J.M. Woollard: I have a copy of the letter. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I would like to see the letter. Perhaps when the member furnishes me with it, I will make a more informed response. I will make a couple of general points, some of which I have made before. I live in Melville. My children go to the Melville Primary School. I am aware of all the issues. The best outcome for that school is for a new primary school to be built on the proposed site. No matter which Government makes the decision, there will always be people who do not like the proposed redevelopment. However, I am sure that when the redevelopment has been completed and the children in that school - including my youngest child who will still be there by the time the redevelopment is completed - are able to take advantage of the new educational environment, everybody will concede and agree - the majority already do - that the decision I have made is the right decision. I would be surprised if any largesse from the federal minister were forthcoming. I said to Brendan Nelson’s face that currently the federal Government is chronically underfunding public education in Western Australia. Mr J.H.D. Day: They have increased it by more than you have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: That is not the case. The member should ask the former Minister for Education about it. His remarks will probably be consistent with mine. The federal Government’s funding arrangements for secondary and primary education are nothing short of absolutely scandalous. At the moment, for example - Dr J.M. Woollard: How about answering the question? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am answering the second part of the member’s question. Students in the high-fee-paying schools in Western Australia - those schools that charge $10 500 per student - receive up to five times the amount of money per child that the average government school receives. In other words, government students receive approximately $700 from the federal Government towards their education through the education system. An opposition member interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am not referring to the Catholic education system; I am referring to the high-fee-paying schools. Some of the high-fee-paying schools are receiving from $2 500 to $3 000 a student. They have received increases in funding from the federal Government of between 150 and 200 per cent. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: My friend the member for Darling Range is running the risk - Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
(1)-(3) That is quite a remarkable question. As far as I am aware, I have not received any information from the federal Minister for Education, Science and Training, Hon Dr Brendan Nelson, suggesting that the federal Government is prepared to provide funds to the State Government for the redevelopment of the Melville Primary School. Dr J.M. Woollard: I have a copy of the letter. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I would like to see the letter. Perhaps when the member furnishes me with it, I will make a more informed response. I will make a couple of general points, some of which I have made before. I live in Melville. My children go to the Melville Primary School. I am aware of all the issues. The best outcome for that school is for a new primary school to be built on the proposed site. No matter which Government makes the decision, there will always be people who do not like the proposed redevelopment. However, I am sure that when the redevelopment has been completed and the children in that school - including my youngest child who will still be there by the time the redevelopment is completed - are able to take advantage of the new educational environment, everybody will concede and agree - the majority already do - that the decision I have made is the right decision. I would be surprised if any largesse from the federal minister were forthcoming. I said to Brendan Nelson’s face that currently the federal Government is chronically underfunding public education in Western Australia. Mr J.H.D. Day: They have increased it by more than you have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: That is not the case. The member should ask the former Minister for Education about it. His remarks will probably be consistent with mine. The federal Government’s funding arrangements for secondary and primary education are nothing short of absolutely scandalous. At the moment, for example - Dr J.M. Woollard: How about answering the question? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am answering the second part of the member’s question. Students in the high-fee-paying schools in Western Australia - those schools that charge $10 500 per student - receive up to five times the amount of money per child that the average government school receives. In other words, government students receive approximately $700 from the federal Government towards their education through the education system. An opposition member interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am not referring to the Catholic education system; I am referring to the high-fee-paying schools. Some of the high-fee-paying schools are receiving from $2 500 to $3 000 a student. They have received increases in funding from the federal Government of between 150 and 200 per cent. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: My friend the member for Darling Range is running the risk - Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
Dr J.M. Woollard: I have a copy of the letter. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I would like to see the letter. Perhaps when the member furnishes me with it, I will make a more informed response. I will make a couple of general points, some of which I have made before. I live in Melville. My children go to the Melville Primary School. I am aware of all the issues. The best outcome for that school is for a new primary school to be built on the proposed site. No matter which Government makes the decision, there will always be people who do not like the proposed redevelopment. However, I am sure that when the redevelopment has been completed and the children in that school - including my youngest child who will still be there by the time the redevelopment is completed - are able to take advantage of the new educational environment, everybody will concede and agree - the majority already do - that the decision I have made is the right decision. I would be surprised if any largesse from the federal minister were forthcoming. I said to Brendan Nelson’s face that currently the federal Government is chronically underfunding public education in Western Australia. Mr J.H.D. Day: They have increased it by more than you have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: That is not the case. The member should ask the former Minister for Education about it. His remarks will probably be consistent with mine. The federal Government’s funding arrangements for secondary and primary education are nothing short of absolutely scandalous. At the moment, for example - Dr J.M. Woollard: How about answering the question? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am answering the second part of the member’s question. Students in the high-fee-paying schools in Western Australia - those schools that charge $10 500 per student - receive up to five times the amount of money per child that the average government school receives. In other words, government students receive approximately $700 from the federal Government towards their education through the education system. An opposition member interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am not referring to the Catholic education system; I am referring to the high-fee-paying schools. Some of the high-fee-paying schools are receiving from $2 500 to $3 000 a student. They have received increases in funding from the federal Government of between 150 and 200 per cent. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: My friend the member for Darling Range is running the risk - Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I would like to see the letter. Perhaps when the member furnishes me with it, I will make a more informed response. I will make a couple of general points, some of which I have made before. I live in Melville. My children go to the Melville Primary School. I am aware of all the issues. The best outcome for that school is for a new primary school to be built on the proposed site. No matter which Government makes the decision, there will always be people who do not like the proposed redevelopment. However, I am sure that when the redevelopment has been completed and the children in that school - including my youngest child who will still be there by the time the redevelopment is completed - are able to take advantage of the new educational environment, everybody will concede and agree - the majority already do - that the decision I have made is the right decision. I would be surprised if any largesse from the federal minister were forthcoming. I said to Brendan Nelson’s face that currently the federal Government is chronically underfunding public education in Western Australia. Mr J.H.D. Day: They have increased it by more than you have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: That is not the case. The member should ask the former Minister for Education about it. His remarks will probably be consistent with mine. The federal Government’s funding arrangements for secondary and primary education are nothing short of absolutely scandalous. At the moment, for example - Dr J.M. Woollard: How about answering the question? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am answering the second part of the member’s question. Students in the high-fee-paying schools in Western Australia - those schools that charge $10 500 per student - receive up to five times the amount of money per child that the average government school receives. In other words, government students receive approximately $700 from the federal Government towards their education through the education system. An opposition member interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am not referring to the Catholic education system; I am referring to the high-fee-paying schools. Some of the high-fee-paying schools are receiving from $2 500 to $3 000 a student. They have received increases in funding from the federal Government of between 150 and 200 per cent. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: My friend the member for Darling Range is running the risk - Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
I would be surprised if any largesse from the federal minister were forthcoming. I said to Brendan Nelson’s face that currently the federal Government is chronically underfunding public education in Western Australia. Mr J.H.D. Day: They have increased it by more than you have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: That is not the case. The member should ask the former Minister for Education about it. His remarks will probably be consistent with mine. The federal Government’s funding arrangements for secondary and primary education are nothing short of absolutely scandalous. At the moment, for example - Dr J.M. Woollard: How about answering the question? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am answering the second part of the member’s question. Students in the high-fee-paying schools in Western Australia - those schools that charge $10 500 per student - receive up to five times the amount of money per child that the average government school receives. In other words, government students receive approximately $700 from the federal Government towards their education through the education system. An opposition member interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am not referring to the Catholic education system; I am referring to the high-fee-paying schools. Some of the high-fee-paying schools are receiving from $2 500 to $3 000 a student. They have received increases in funding from the federal Government of between 150 and 200 per cent. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: My friend the member for Darling Range is running the risk - Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
Mr J.H.D. Day: They have increased it by more than you have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: That is not the case. The member should ask the former Minister for Education about it. His remarks will probably be consistent with mine. The federal Government’s funding arrangements for secondary and primary education are nothing short of absolutely scandalous. At the moment, for example - Dr J.M. Woollard: How about answering the question? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am answering the second part of the member’s question. Students in the high-fee-paying schools in Western Australia - those schools that charge $10 500 per student - receive up to five times the amount of money per child that the average government school receives. In other words, government students receive approximately $700 from the federal Government towards their education through the education system. An opposition member interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am not referring to the Catholic education system; I am referring to the high-fee-paying schools. Some of the high-fee-paying schools are receiving from $2 500 to $3 000 a student. They have received increases in funding from the federal Government of between 150 and 200 per cent. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: My friend the member for Darling Range is running the risk - Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: That is not the case. The member should ask the former Minister for Education about it. His remarks will probably be consistent with mine. The federal Government’s funding arrangements for secondary and primary education are nothing short of absolutely scandalous. At the moment, for example - Dr J.M. Woollard: How about answering the question? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am answering the second part of the member’s question. Students in the high-fee-paying schools in Western Australia - those schools that charge $10 500 per student - receive up to five times the amount of money per child that the average government school receives. In other words, government students receive approximately $700 from the federal Government towards their education through the education system. An opposition member interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am not referring to the Catholic education system; I am referring to the high-fee-paying schools. Some of the high-fee-paying schools are receiving from $2 500 to $3 000 a student. They have received increases in funding from the federal Government of between 150 and 200 per cent. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: My friend the member for Darling Range is running the risk - Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
Dr J.M. Woollard: How about answering the question? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am answering the second part of the member’s question. Students in the high-fee-paying schools in Western Australia - those schools that charge $10 500 per student - receive up to five times the amount of money per child that the average government school receives. In other words, government students receive approximately $700 from the federal Government towards their education through the education system. An opposition member interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am not referring to the Catholic education system; I am referring to the high-fee-paying schools. Some of the high-fee-paying schools are receiving from $2 500 to $3 000 a student. They have received increases in funding from the federal Government of between 150 and 200 per cent. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: My friend the member for Darling Range is running the risk - Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am answering the second part of the member’s question. Students in the high-fee-paying schools in Western Australia - those schools that charge $10 500 per student - receive up to five times the amount of money per child that the average government school receives. In other words, government students receive approximately $700 from the federal Government towards their education through the education system. An opposition member interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am not referring to the Catholic education system; I am referring to the high-fee-paying schools. Some of the high-fee-paying schools are receiving from $2 500 to $3 000 a student. They have received increases in funding from the federal Government of between 150 and 200 per cent. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: My friend the member for Darling Range is running the risk - Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
An opposition member interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am not referring to the Catholic education system; I am referring to the high-fee-paying schools. Some of the high-fee-paying schools are receiving from $2 500 to $3 000 a student. They have received increases in funding from the federal Government of between 150 and 200 per cent. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: My friend the member for Darling Range is running the risk - Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am not referring to the Catholic education system; I am referring to the high-fee-paying schools. Some of the high-fee-paying schools are receiving from $2 500 to $3 000 a student. They have received increases in funding from the federal Government of between 150 and 200 per cent. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: My friend the member for Darling Range is running the risk - Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: My friend the member for Darling Range is running the risk - Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: My friend the member for Darling Range is running the risk - Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
(2) Will the minister accept a proposal by the federal minister to use commonwealth funds for the project by applying for funds under the federal Government’s capital grants program? (3) If not, why not? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) That is quite a remarkable question. As far as I am aware, I have not received any information from the federal Minister for Education, Science and Training, Hon Dr Brendan Nelson, suggesting that the federal Government is prepared to provide funds to the State Government for the redevelopment of the Melville Primary School. Dr J.M. Woollard: I have a copy of the letter. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I would like to see the letter. Perhaps when the member furnishes me with it, I will make a more informed response. I will make a couple of general points, some of which I have made before. I live in Melville. My children go to the Melville Primary School. I am aware of all the issues. The best outcome for that school is for a new primary school to be built on the proposed site. No matter which Government makes the decision, there will always be people who do not like the proposed redevelopment. However, I am sure that when the redevelopment has been completed and the children in that school - including my youngest child who will still be there by the time the redevelopment is completed - are able to take advantage of the new educational environment, everybody will concede and agree - the majority already do - that the decision I have made is the right decision. I would be surprised if any largesse from the federal minister were forthcoming. I said to Brendan Nelson’s face that currently the federal Government is chronically underfunding public education in Western Australia. Mr J.H.D. Day: They have increased it by more than you have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: That is not the case. The member should ask the former Minister for Education about it. His remarks will probably be consistent with mine. The federal Government’s funding arrangements for secondary and primary education are nothing short of absolutely scandalous. At the moment, for example - Dr J.M. Woollard: How about answering the question? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am answering the second part of the member’s question. Students in the high-fee-paying schools in Western Australia - those schools that charge $10 500 per student - receive up to five times the amount of money per child that the average government school receives. In other words, government students receive approximately $700 from the federal Government towards their education through the education system. An opposition member interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am not referring to the Catholic education system; I am referring to the high-fee-paying schools. Some of the high-fee-paying schools are receiving from $2 500 to $3 000 a student. They have received increases in funding from the federal Government of between 150 and 200 per cent. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: My friend the member for Darling Range is running the risk - Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
(3) If not, why not? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) That is quite a remarkable question. As far as I am aware, I have not received any information from the federal Minister for Education, Science and Training, Hon Dr Brendan Nelson, suggesting that the federal Government is prepared to provide funds to the State Government for the redevelopment of the Melville Primary School. Dr J.M. Woollard: I have a copy of the letter. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I would like to see the letter. Perhaps when the member furnishes me with it, I will make a more informed response. I will make a couple of general points, some of which I have made before. I live in Melville. My children go to the Melville Primary School. I am aware of all the issues. The best outcome for that school is for a new primary school to be built on the proposed site. No matter which Government makes the decision, there will always be people who do not like the proposed redevelopment. However, I am sure that when the redevelopment has been completed and the children in that school - including my youngest child who will still be there by the time the redevelopment is completed - are able to take advantage of the new educational environment, everybody will concede and agree - the majority already do - that the decision I have made is the right decision. I would be surprised if any largesse from the federal minister were forthcoming. I said to Brendan Nelson’s face that currently the federal Government is chronically underfunding public education in Western Australia. Mr J.H.D. Day: They have increased it by more than you have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: That is not the case. The member should ask the former Minister for Education about it. His remarks will probably be consistent with mine. The federal Government’s funding arrangements for secondary and primary education are nothing short of absolutely scandalous. At the moment, for example - Dr J.M. Woollard: How about answering the question? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am answering the second part of the member’s question. Students in the high-fee-paying schools in Western Australia - those schools that charge $10 500 per student - receive up to five times the amount of money per child that the average government school receives. In other words, government students receive approximately $700 from the federal Government towards their education through the education system. An opposition member interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am not referring to the Catholic education system; I am referring to the high-fee-paying schools. Some of the high-fee-paying schools are receiving from $2 500 to $3 000 a student. They have received increases in funding from the federal Government of between 150 and 200 per cent. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: My friend the member for Darling Range is running the risk - Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: (1)-(3) That is quite a remarkable question. As far as I am aware, I have not received any information from the federal Minister for Education, Science and Training, Hon Dr Brendan Nelson, suggesting that the federal Government is prepared to provide funds to the State Government for the redevelopment of the Melville Primary School. Dr J.M. Woollard: I have a copy of the letter. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I would like to see the letter. Perhaps when the member furnishes me with it, I will make a more informed response. I will make a couple of general points, some of which I have made before. I live in Melville. My children go to the Melville Primary School. I am aware of all the issues. The best outcome for that school is for a new primary school to be built on the proposed site. No matter which Government makes the decision, there will always be people who do not like the proposed redevelopment. However, I am sure that when the redevelopment has been completed and the children in that school - including my youngest child who will still be there by the time the redevelopment is completed - are able to take advantage of the new educational environment, everybody will concede and agree - the majority already do - that the decision I have made is the right decision. I would be surprised if any largesse from the federal minister were forthcoming. I said to Brendan Nelson’s face that currently the federal Government is chronically underfunding public education in Western Australia. Mr J.H.D. Day: They have increased it by more than you have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: That is not the case. The member should ask the former Minister for Education about it. His remarks will probably be consistent with mine. The federal Government’s funding arrangements for secondary and primary education are nothing short of absolutely scandalous. At the moment, for example - Dr J.M. Woollard: How about answering the question? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am answering the second part of the member’s question. Students in the high-fee-paying schools in Western Australia - those schools that charge $10 500 per student - receive up to five times the amount of money per child that the average government school receives. In other words, government students receive approximately $700 from the federal Government towards their education through the education system. An opposition member interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am not referring to the Catholic education system; I am referring to the high-fee-paying schools. Some of the high-fee-paying schools are receiving from $2 500 to $3 000 a student. They have received increases in funding from the federal Government of between 150 and 200 per cent. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: My friend the member for Darling Range is running the risk - Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
(1)-(3) That is quite a remarkable question. As far as I am aware, I have not received any information from the federal Minister for Education, Science and Training, Hon Dr Brendan Nelson, suggesting that the federal Government is prepared to provide funds to the State Government for the redevelopment of the Melville Primary School. Dr J.M. Woollard: I have a copy of the letter. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I would like to see the letter. Perhaps when the member furnishes me with it, I will make a more informed response. I will make a couple of general points, some of which I have made before. I live in Melville. My children go to the Melville Primary School. I am aware of all the issues. The best outcome for that school is for a new primary school to be built on the proposed site. No matter which Government makes the decision, there will always be people who do not like the proposed redevelopment. However, I am sure that when the redevelopment has been completed and the children in that school - including my youngest child who will still be there by the time the redevelopment is completed - are able to take advantage of the new educational environment, everybody will concede and agree - the majority already do - that the decision I have made is the right decision. I would be surprised if any largesse from the federal minister were forthcoming. I said to Brendan Nelson’s face that currently the federal Government is chronically underfunding public education in Western Australia. Mr J.H.D. Day: They have increased it by more than you have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: That is not the case. The member should ask the former Minister for Education about it. His remarks will probably be consistent with mine. The federal Government’s funding arrangements for secondary and primary education are nothing short of absolutely scandalous. At the moment, for example - Dr J.M. Woollard: How about answering the question? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am answering the second part of the member’s question. Students in the high-fee-paying schools in Western Australia - those schools that charge $10 500 per student - receive up to five times the amount of money per child that the average government school receives. In other words, government students receive approximately $700 from the federal Government towards their education through the education system. An opposition member interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am not referring to the Catholic education system; I am referring to the high-fee-paying schools. Some of the high-fee-paying schools are receiving from $2 500 to $3 000 a student. They have received increases in funding from the federal Government of between 150 and 200 per cent. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: My friend the member for Darling Range is running the risk - Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
Dr J.M. Woollard: I have a copy of the letter. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I would like to see the letter. Perhaps when the member furnishes me with it, I will make a more informed response. I will make a couple of general points, some of which I have made before. I live in Melville. My children go to the Melville Primary School. I am aware of all the issues. The best outcome for that school is for a new primary school to be built on the proposed site. No matter which Government makes the decision, there will always be people who do not like the proposed redevelopment. However, I am sure that when the redevelopment has been completed and the children in that school - including my youngest child who will still be there by the time the redevelopment is completed - are able to take advantage of the new educational environment, everybody will concede and agree - the majority already do - that the decision I have made is the right decision. I would be surprised if any largesse from the federal minister were forthcoming. I said to Brendan Nelson’s face that currently the federal Government is chronically underfunding public education in Western Australia. Mr J.H.D. Day: They have increased it by more than you have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: That is not the case. The member should ask the former Minister for Education about it. His remarks will probably be consistent with mine. The federal Government’s funding arrangements for secondary and primary education are nothing short of absolutely scandalous. At the moment, for example - Dr J.M. Woollard: How about answering the question? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am answering the second part of the member’s question. Students in the high-fee-paying schools in Western Australia - those schools that charge $10 500 per student - receive up to five times the amount of money per child that the average government school receives. In other words, government students receive approximately $700 from the federal Government towards their education through the education system. An opposition member interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am not referring to the Catholic education system; I am referring to the high-fee-paying schools. Some of the high-fee-paying schools are receiving from $2 500 to $3 000 a student. They have received increases in funding from the federal Government of between 150 and 200 per cent. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: My friend the member for Darling Range is running the risk - Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I would like to see the letter. Perhaps when the member furnishes me with it, I will make a more informed response. I will make a couple of general points, some of which I have made before. I live in Melville. My children go to the Melville Primary School. I am aware of all the issues. The best outcome for that school is for a new primary school to be built on the proposed site. No matter which Government makes the decision, there will always be people who do not like the proposed redevelopment. However, I am sure that when the redevelopment has been completed and the children in that school - including my youngest child who will still be there by the time the redevelopment is completed - are able to take advantage of the new educational environment, everybody will concede and agree - the majority already do - that the decision I have made is the right decision. I would be surprised if any largesse from the federal minister were forthcoming. I said to Brendan Nelson’s face that currently the federal Government is chronically underfunding public education in Western Australia. Mr J.H.D. Day: They have increased it by more than you have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: That is not the case. The member should ask the former Minister for Education about it. His remarks will probably be consistent with mine. The federal Government’s funding arrangements for secondary and primary education are nothing short of absolutely scandalous. At the moment, for example - Dr J.M. Woollard: How about answering the question? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am answering the second part of the member’s question. Students in the high-fee-paying schools in Western Australia - those schools that charge $10 500 per student - receive up to five times the amount of money per child that the average government school receives. In other words, government students receive approximately $700 from the federal Government towards their education through the education system. An opposition member interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am not referring to the Catholic education system; I am referring to the high-fee-paying schools. Some of the high-fee-paying schools are receiving from $2 500 to $3 000 a student. They have received increases in funding from the federal Government of between 150 and 200 per cent. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: My friend the member for Darling Range is running the risk - Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
I would be surprised if any largesse from the federal minister were forthcoming. I said to Brendan Nelson’s face that currently the federal Government is chronically underfunding public education in Western Australia. Mr J.H.D. Day: They have increased it by more than you have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: That is not the case. The member should ask the former Minister for Education about it. His remarks will probably be consistent with mine. The federal Government’s funding arrangements for secondary and primary education are nothing short of absolutely scandalous. At the moment, for example - Dr J.M. Woollard: How about answering the question? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am answering the second part of the member’s question. Students in the high-fee-paying schools in Western Australia - those schools that charge $10 500 per student - receive up to five times the amount of money per child that the average government school receives. In other words, government students receive approximately $700 from the federal Government towards their education through the education system. An opposition member interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am not referring to the Catholic education system; I am referring to the high-fee-paying schools. Some of the high-fee-paying schools are receiving from $2 500 to $3 000 a student. They have received increases in funding from the federal Government of between 150 and 200 per cent. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: My friend the member for Darling Range is running the risk - Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
Mr J.H.D. Day: They have increased it by more than you have. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: That is not the case. The member should ask the former Minister for Education about it. His remarks will probably be consistent with mine. The federal Government’s funding arrangements for secondary and primary education are nothing short of absolutely scandalous. At the moment, for example - Dr J.M. Woollard: How about answering the question? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am answering the second part of the member’s question. Students in the high-fee-paying schools in Western Australia - those schools that charge $10 500 per student - receive up to five times the amount of money per child that the average government school receives. In other words, government students receive approximately $700 from the federal Government towards their education through the education system. An opposition member interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am not referring to the Catholic education system; I am referring to the high-fee-paying schools. Some of the high-fee-paying schools are receiving from $2 500 to $3 000 a student. They have received increases in funding from the federal Government of between 150 and 200 per cent. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: My friend the member for Darling Range is running the risk - Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: That is not the case. The member should ask the former Minister for Education about it. His remarks will probably be consistent with mine. The federal Government’s funding arrangements for secondary and primary education are nothing short of absolutely scandalous. At the moment, for example - Dr J.M. Woollard: How about answering the question? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am answering the second part of the member’s question. Students in the high-fee-paying schools in Western Australia - those schools that charge $10 500 per student - receive up to five times the amount of money per child that the average government school receives. In other words, government students receive approximately $700 from the federal Government towards their education through the education system. An opposition member interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am not referring to the Catholic education system; I am referring to the high-fee-paying schools. Some of the high-fee-paying schools are receiving from $2 500 to $3 000 a student. They have received increases in funding from the federal Government of between 150 and 200 per cent. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: My friend the member for Darling Range is running the risk - Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
Dr J.M. Woollard: How about answering the question? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am answering the second part of the member’s question. Students in the high-fee-paying schools in Western Australia - those schools that charge $10 500 per student - receive up to five times the amount of money per child that the average government school receives. In other words, government students receive approximately $700 from the federal Government towards their education through the education system. An opposition member interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am not referring to the Catholic education system; I am referring to the high-fee-paying schools. Some of the high-fee-paying schools are receiving from $2 500 to $3 000 a student. They have received increases in funding from the federal Government of between 150 and 200 per cent. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: My friend the member for Darling Range is running the risk - Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am answering the second part of the member’s question. Students in the high-fee-paying schools in Western Australia - those schools that charge $10 500 per student - receive up to five times the amount of money per child that the average government school receives. In other words, government students receive approximately $700 from the federal Government towards their education through the education system. An opposition member interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am not referring to the Catholic education system; I am referring to the high-fee-paying schools. Some of the high-fee-paying schools are receiving from $2 500 to $3 000 a student. They have received increases in funding from the federal Government of between 150 and 200 per cent. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: My friend the member for Darling Range is running the risk - Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
An opposition member interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am not referring to the Catholic education system; I am referring to the high-fee-paying schools. Some of the high-fee-paying schools are receiving from $2 500 to $3 000 a student. They have received increases in funding from the federal Government of between 150 and 200 per cent. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: My friend the member for Darling Range is running the risk - Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I am not referring to the Catholic education system; I am referring to the high-fee-paying schools. Some of the high-fee-paying schools are receiving from $2 500 to $3 000 a student. They have received increases in funding from the federal Government of between 150 and 200 per cent. Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: My friend the member for Darling Range is running the risk - Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
Mr J.H.D. Day interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: My friend the member for Darling Range is running the risk - Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: My friend the member for Darling Range is running the risk - Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
Mr J.H.D. Day: Tell the whole story. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Darling Range is running the risk of painting himself as the opposition spokesperson for rich private schools. He should be very careful. Every person in Western Australia drives past a government school. Members should look at a local government school, then drive past a rich private school and ask themselves a simple question: if the federal Government has millions of dollars to spare for education, should it go into a rich private school, a government school that clearly needs the money or - member for Warren-Blackwood - a low-fee-paying non-government school? They should make the decision. The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
The federal Government has made its bed on this issue, and it will have to lie in it. Broadly, the people of Western Australia are almost convinced that my point about the construction of the federal government funding arrangements is right on the money; it is exactly correct. It is incumbent upon me, as the Minister for Education and Training, to stand up and make sure that all students in Western Australia get the best possible deal. If the member for Alfred Cove will provide me with a copy of that letter, I will look at it closely and see what is on offer.
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