STATEMENTS BY SENATORS

Senator DOLEGA (Tasmania) (13:32): Public education is the foundation of a fair, democratic and successful country. Growing up, I was fortunate enough to attend public schools, Spreyton Primary School, Latrobe High School and Don College, and I'm proud to be part of a government that is increasing public school spending after decades of neglect. Look back through the history books.

Under the Howard government, the coalition completely plundered public education, heavily skewing funding towards elite private schools, many of which were among the wealthiest in the country. Then came the Abbott government, which repeatedly promised no cuts to education, before slashing billions from public schools. Then, continuing the crusade of cuts, the Morrison government's pre-2022 election budget included more cuts to public schools while it increased funding for private schools.

It was unfair, punitive and downright disrespectful. So much for it being the party of aspiration—only if you were fortunate enough to go to a private school, it seems. Then you've got the other right-wing party, the circus over there, One Nation.

They frequently undermine and discredit experts while claiming they'll restore critical thinking to the classroom. It's hard not to laugh at that claim when they are consistently peddling cooker conspiracy theories. If that's their idea of critical thinking, we should be concerned about what they want taught in our classrooms.

Education in Australia should give every child the opportunity to succeed. That's what the Albanese Labor government believes in, and that's why we have put all schools on a pathway to full and fair funding. That means an extra $20 billion over the next decade and an extra $50 billion in the decade after that.

We are committed to helping kids catch up and finish school. This government is standing up for school funding, and I fully support public schools and giving kids a fair go in public education.