Thursday, 30 November 2023

Ministers statements: education

Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Minister for Education, Minister for Medical Research) (14:16): I rise to update the house on a big year for the Education State, thanks to the Allan Labor government, because it has been a big year for our schools – indeed it has been a big year for our Parliament.

Let us take the start of the year – we know a lot can happen in 12 months. We had a member for Western Metropolitan Region in the other place Mrs Deeming – she started teaching medieval gender studies, and she has finished teaching law, with a major in defamation. Let us fast-forward to our NAPLAN results: we have done so well in literacy, but also let us not forget numeracy. On this side of the house we already know three comes after two. And we can never forget the importance of doing your homework, particularly if it is a big assignment from, say, the electoral commission. You should get your assignment in on time.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Sandringham!

Ben CARROLL: It is good he is paying attention, because they could not open a school or cut a ribbon in a Lincraft shop. I am opening and cutting ribbons every second day.

Jacinta Allan: What about Spotlight? What have you got against Spotlight?

Ben CARROLL: Or Spotlight. And the member for Berwick will be very happy about what we have announced just recently: our pre-service teaching policy, which is giving students a job before they start teaching – like giving the member for Berwick a go in the chair before he officially gets the job.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Eureka can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Member for Eureka withdrew from chamber.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, it is out of order to be using a ministers statement to attack the opposition.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Members will be removed without warning. The Minister for Education to continue, without attacking the opposition.

Ben CARROLL: We have invested $15 billion over the past nine years and built more schools than any other state.

Members interjecting.

Ben CARROLL: Are you all right? Are you sure? What I know, though, is I will be opening schools over summer. I do not know what the opposition leader will be doing. I know I will be back in this chair over summer when we come back for the new year. Who will be in that chair is the big question.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Wendouree can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Member for Wendouree withdrew from chamber.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Sunbury can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Member for Sunbury withdrew from chamber.