Page 1475 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 4 May 2016
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MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Minister for Planning and Land Management, Minister for Racing and Gaming and Minister for Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations) (11.41): I thank Mr Hinder for his motion today. It is a very important time for Canberrans to reflect on this federal budget and the impact it is going to have on the territory.
In 2013 I was proud to be part of the government which signed up to the Gonski plan to help improve education in this country. The funding provided by the federal Labor government for the Gonski plan was designed to make sure that all children who go through our school system have the right resources, support and learning materials to achieve the best outcomes that they can.
The funding was going to enable a reduction in the size of classes and therefore provide more teacher-student contact in the classroom; more employment for additional specialist teachers who are best trained and able to help students who may be falling a little behind in numeracy or literacy; more provision for support for kids with special needs or behavioural issues; and help for teachers who do the best job they can through additional training and support.
I noticed that in the conversation earlier on Mr Hanson said that the Gonski budget funding was not there. I can assure Mr Hanson that Gonski was funded by Labor in the 2013-14 budget. My office is very happy to send the link to that section of the budget to his office in an email if he requires that. It was an important time in our history—Madam Deputy Speaker, you were there at the time—when we were looking at the importance of providing the best possible education for all Australians, particularly those of us in the ACT wanting the best outcomes for our kids. The governments of Mr Abbott and Mr Turnbull have gutted this program. The federal government seems unable to keep the vast majority of the promises that it made in the 2013 election. It is a disgrace.
On health, I remember very clearly when Gough Whitlam introduced Medicare into this country. It was a fantastic reform which has now helped millions of Australians to receive the health care to which they are entitled. This is one of the defining reforms of the 21st century, especially for the outcomes that are provided for Australians right across the board. I would like to take note, and we should ask the Assembly to take note, that the Liberal Party voted against this legislation in 1974. It is important that we look at the history of where Liberals, and Canberra Liberals, vote against legislation which helps the community as a whole, in education, health care and the like.
When Mr Abbott declared in 2013 that the coalition government would not undertake to cut health care in this country, I was a bit dubious. Unfortunately, my suspicions of dishonesty were well founded. Not far from a year after he made the promise, which is noted in the motion, the thought bubble of the $7 GP co-payment was raised. Mr Abbott’s $7 bill was and remains a clear contradiction of his promise of no cuts to health.
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