INDUSTRIAL ACTION

Mr PISONI (Unley) (14:36): Thank you. I will explain it to my kids when I get home. My question is to—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr PISONI: —the Premier (originally designed for the education minister, but I believe she is off to Perth). Under the student-centred funding model being proposed in the new enterprise agreement for teachers—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I cannot hear the member for Unley's question. The member for Unley.

Mr PISONI: Under the student-centred funding model being proposed in the new enterprise agreement for teachers, why have schools been given a guarantee of being no worse off financially under the existing funding arrangement for only two years rather than simply a guarantee that they will be no worse off? Some schools—in particular, smaller schools—have calculated that, under the new funding arrangements, they could be up to $70,000 per year worse off if aiming for the same student-teacher ratio as they have now.

The Hon. M.J. WRIGHT (Lee—Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Finance, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:37): We are surprised at claims of that nature. If they can be put forward we will look at them, because we believe that no-one will be worse off. We have come forward with a per capita funding model which provides $18.7 million for schools and which includes 165 more teachers. We stand by our offer. We do not think anyone is disadvantaged, but if the union wants to come forward with any of these propositions we will certainly look at them.