Dr WOODRUFF – Minister, the real story here is what the Australian Education Union (AEU) has put out in a withering media release just now. They are devastated. The real story here is that what you’re selling – that eventually, in five years’ time, Tasmania will be meeting 100 per cent of the Schooling Resource Standard. What we’ve heard is that you’ve sold us out. We should have been getting that extra 5 per cent that’s needed from the federal government. Instead, Tasmania is going to have to pay 2.5 per cent.
The actual story here is the loophole which you’ve secured, so that 4 per cent of the funding now can go to non‑teaching‑related needs, like capital depreciation and school registration. That is not meeting the Schooling Resource Standard. That is not what teachers need, that is not what students need. That is not what classrooms and parents need. You’ve secured this loophole to be able to pay for some of the things that the state should be paying for. Don’t you feel a bit ashamed about that?
Ms PALMER – No, the complete opposite. I’ll start by saying I completely reject the beginning of that question. To say that I had ‘sold out’ Tasmanian students is completely inappropriate and inaccurate. I have been working on this –
Dr WOODRUFF – They are devastated.
CHAIR – Order.
Ms PALMER – I have been working on this for months, as has my team.
Dr WOODRUFF – It’s not about you.
CHAIR – Order.
Ms PALMER – We are very proud that we have been able to secure around $300 million in the next five years. I would have loved for the federal government to put forward 5 per cent. That is not what they’ve come to the table with. In five days, the deal is off the table, and we just revert and we roll over. Any state that has not signed up reverts to the same funding arrangement that we have right now. It would have been off the table.
We have managed to secure this deal with a ‘no worse off’ agreement, so that if that percentage changes, Tasmania will get that percentage. This deal will see money flow to our schools, to our families, to these students, starting from next year, which is really exciting. This is a great thing, with the ‘no worse off’ deal. Can’t go backwards here, only going forwards.
When you talk about the 4 per cent cap, I’ve had a number of conversations and I’m absolutely listening to our stakeholders on that. I, too, have some concerns about that, and we are progressing a body of work so that I have a better understanding of what that actually looks like. I have said to stakeholders that is something that I will be looking at. The other thing that’s really important to remember here is that the Schooling Resource Standard is not the only way that we invest in schools.
The Tasmanian government invests in so many other ways as well, particularly when it comes to our infrastructure spend. We know that students, to achieve the best educational outcomes that they can, need to be in good and sensitive environments. Environments that inspire them. We know how important it is that they are safe environments. We know how important that is for our workforce, as well. I am going to schools. I am on the ground, talking to teachers and principals and parent associations, and they are talking to me about the importance of those environments. There’s a huge investment there, as well.
Dr WOODRUFF – On the loophole – can we talk about that, then?
Ms PALMER – And as I’ve said, with regard to the 4 per cent that has always been attributed to depreciation – which every other state and territory has as well, I’m advised – I have concerns around that and I’m looking into it.
Dr WOODRUFF – With that 4 per cent loophole, it is shameful that the Prime Minister didn’t close that, and it is on the head of the Labor Party that they didn’t do that. But, you have the choice as the minister and the Tasmanian Education Union is so clear that represents $260 million over the next five years that will come out of Tasmanian schools. If you don’t close that 4 per cent loophole, that money – in addition to the fact that we’re paying the extra 2.5 per cent, and you didn’t manage to secure 5 per cent – but that 4 per cent is something you can do something about. It will actually mean $260 million over five years that’s funnelling into department costs like overheads and depreciation. These are not things that it should be spent on. It should be spent on school students. Will you commit to working to close that loophole? Just to make the decision, actually. There’s no work involved. You just make the decision. You’ve got the power as minister. Will you do that?
Ms PALMER – I don’t think I could have been any clearer that I have concerns around that and I am looking into it. I’ve made it very, very clear.
Dr WOODRUFF – They want to hear more than concerns, minister. They want to hear action on this.
Dr WOODRUFF – There are two issues here that I can see, minister. One is that you promised that you were going to go and fight for 5 per cent and you only secured 2.5 per cent. The state is going to be paying 2.5 per cent. The biggest issue from the education union’s point of view – the union representing teachers and other school staff – is the 4 per cent loophole that remains. It should have been a generational opportunity. What it’s meant to be achieving, this SRS, the School Resource Standard, is to bring the amount of money required to bring four out of five students to the minimum standards. The AEU have identified that it should be with this 5 per cent that’s coming – 2.5 per cent state and federal – $1000 per student a year to fully fund Tasmanian schools. That’s what’s required.
Instead, the State Government is going to keep on pulling out, stealing from that extra money, some $900 per student. Can you see that it’s not a happy day for people who are working in this sector, because that’s what’s required to get students up to four out of five just having a minimum standard of schooling. They are devastated that that loophole hasn’t been closed. Will you commit to closing that loophole?
Ms PALMER – I’ve already answered this question. I don’t know how to answer it any other way. I’ve spoken –
Dr WOODRUFF – Could you try again?
Ms PALMER – Through you, Chair, I’ve already answered this question –
Dr WOODRUFF – No, you haven’t.
CHAIR – Order.
Ms PALMER – I’ve already answered this question and I don’t know how to answer it any other way. I have spoken with stakeholders. I am very aware of their concerns around the 4 per cent, and I have already said here, and also to stakeholders, this does concern me and I need to have a look at it.
CHAIR – Additional questions, Dr Woodruff, and I will remind –
Dr WOODRUFF – That was one question. I get two.
CHAIR – Do you have any additional questions?
