Thursday, 15 August 2024

Ministers statements: education

Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Minister for Education, Minister for Medical Research) (14:17): We know on this side of the chamber that education is the most important investment you can make. On that side of the chamber they think education is just a nice thing to do. On our side we invest every day in education. Just last week I was out with three champions of education in central Victoria. There was the member for Wendouree, a former schoolteacher, from her local community, representing her local community. Right next door to her too was the member for Ripon, a proud product of public education. And there was the member for Eureka, a proud product of our TAFE industry and saving TAFE.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! I ask the Deputy Premier not to incite the members.

Ben CARROLL: We held a principals round table. We visited schools right through –

Members interjecting.

Ben CARROLL: I would like those opposite to just be silent for a moment, because what we did do was open up the brand new Ballarat Specialist School. It says everything about a government that it is upgrading every single one of the 82 specialist schools around our state through the great advocacy of the member for Eureka for the hydrotherapy pool, the great education that they are getting, the phonics education – everything they are getting.

We are the Education State. We are putting in record investment of $35 billion. The shadow minister for private education cannot even ask a question when NAPLAN results come out this week, because in every category, at almost every level, behind the ACT, Victoria is leading in education. We are doing everything we can too. The shadow minister is being kicked out, and the former shadow minister went to London only to return for the libel case next week. Is it any wonder they are talking about changing their name from the Liberal Party to the Libel Party?

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Gippsland South will leave the chamber for half an hour, without –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: You can leave the chamber for an hour.

Member for Gippsland South withdrew from chamber.