Wednesday, 31 May 2023

Questions without notice and ministers statements

Schools payroll tax

Jess WILSON (Kew) (14:02): My question is to the Minister for Education. St Patrick’s College in Ballarat charges fees of up to $7900 per term. In addition, the school offers boarding for students from remote communities. Minister, will this school be subject to the government’s school tax?

Natalie HUTCHINS (Sydenham – Minister for Education, Minister for Women) (14:03): Given this legislation is before the house as we speak, it is inappropriate for me to go into the details of how it will be implemented.

Danny O’Brien: On a point of order, Speaker, the entire budget has been before the house this week, and we have had ministers statements every day from ministers about the budget. I ask you to bring the minister to answer the question.

The SPEAKER: The minister has concluded her answer.

Jess WILSON (Kew) (14:03): Yesterday the minister failed to say whether Nazareth College will be subject to the government’s school tax. Nazareth College charges international students a fee of almost $26,000 per annum. Will this school be subject to the government’s school tax?

Natalie HUTCHINS (Sydenham – Minister for Education, Minister for Women) (14:04): I am not going to pull apart every single school that is affected by this.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, with respect, on relevance, that is exactly what this budget does, ripping apart schools, and I would ask you to bring the minister back to the question.

The SPEAKER: Order! A point of order is not an opportunity for commentary.

Natalie HUTCHINS: I will just emphasise that the vast majority, and that is about 85 per cent of non-government schools, are not going to be affected by this payroll tax, and that is something that I and the Treasurer have been on the record saying. Can I just point out, in addition to this debate, let us have a look at the funds that have been allocated to non-government schools through the financial assistance model.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The house will come to order! The member for South Barwon can leave the chamber for 1 hour.

Member for South Barwon withdrew from chamber.

John Pesutto: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, the minister in her answer so far has said that 85 per cent of schools will not fall under the new tax. The question is simple, then: does Nazareth College fall within that 85 per cent? She has answered the question already. The question asked whether Nazareth College was part of the 85 per cent.

The SPEAKER: Order! A point of order is not an opportunity to repeat the question. The minister was being relevant to the question that was asked, and I ask her to continue.

Natalie HUTCHINS: Thank you. There are schools like Nazareth that would have benefited from both the $400 million capital investments that have come out of this budget and the tutor learning initiatives that are rolling out. About $36 million has been allocated by this government to non-government schools. There are programs like swimming in schools, camps, sports and excursion funds. (Time expired)