Schools payroll tax
Jess WILSON (Kew) (14:08): My question is to the Minister for Education. In a statement the principal of Whitefriars College, located in the electorate of Warrandyte, said this morning:
As a not-for-profit entity, all income is invested towards the education of our students …
The government’s new schools tax:
… will cost the College community over $1 million per annum which will need to be found either through cutting programs, cutting refurbishment plans or increasing school fees.
Can the minister explain to families in Warrandyte why, during a cost-of-living crisis, this government is increasing school fees or cutting education programs?
Natalie HUTCHINS (Sydenham – Minister for Education, Minister for Women) (14:08): I thank the member for the question, but I do not agree with the premise of the question. This government is not cutting education programs. In fact this government is investing $3.1 billion of additional funding into schools across the network, and $450 million worth of that investment goes directly to non-government schools capital investment. There is also a $36 million investment in the tutor learning initiative that goes across into non-government schools.
The member opposite can continue to make up hypotheticals about legislation that we are going to continue to consult the sector on. I am really pleased to say that we will continue to work with the non-government school sector to implement all of our budget commitments and make sure that they flow across the entire sector and that they see the benefits of programs such as the tutor learning initiative.
The SPEAKER: Order! When the member for Kew asks her supplementary question I would like the house to come to order so we can hear the answer.
Jess WILSON (Kew) (14:10): In the electorate of Warrandyte, around half of the enrolled secondary students go to a Catholic or an independent school. Why is the government punishing families in Warrandyte who send their children to Catholic and independent schools to fix their budget black hole?
Natalie HUTCHINS (Sydenham – Minister for Education, Minister for Women) (14:10): I thank the member for Kew – or Warrandyte, I am not sure – for the supplementary question. But certainly our investments in the non-government school sector are quite significant. They are reboosted out of this most recent budget, and of course when it comes to implementing the taxes that have been passed through the upper house, and in particular in regard to an exemption to the payroll tax for the non-government sector, we will continue to work with this sector and the peak bodies. Make no mistake about it, 85 per cent of schools in the non-government sector will not be affected by this. There are a lot of schools out there that will continue to benefit from the investments, those low-fee paying schools. If those opposite want to continue to advocate for the elite, highest, wealthiest schools in this state – they are the only questions they ever ask us about. (Time expired)