Senator BIRMINGHAM (South Australia—Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) (14:45): I thank Senator Pratt for her question in relation to school results. If I can take one of the interjections from before, I'm sure that Senator Bernardi would concur that the results of the PISA survey are very disappointing, are unacceptable, and that we do need to see that results in relation to education improve across the country. Our children deserve world-leading education, giving them skills to thrive, and they deserve strong literacy, maths and science skills fundamental to their success. Senator O'Neill interjecting— Senator BIRMINGHAM: I'll take Senator O'Neill's interjection there about funding, because that is, of course, where the Labor Party inevitably go in relation to funding. As this chamber has debated endlessly over the years and is well known, school funding in Australia stands at record levels. The debate that must be had in Australia is about how we get better results from the record investment that is occurring. Let me quote from The Australian Financial Review today in which the education writer states that— Senator O'Neill: Seven years of education— The PRESIDENT: Order, Senator O'Neill! Senator BIRMINGHAM: the PISA results have shown a collapse 'despite government spending on schools hitting nearly $58 billion a year, 70 per cent more than when— Senator O'Neill interjecting — Senator Pratt: The question is: when? The PRESIDENT: Senators O'Neill and Pratt! Senator BIRMINGHAM: global school testing started'. So, in the life of the PISA results, we have seen a 70 per cent increase in funding and yet a decline in relation to performance. That is why our government want to see the states and territories— Senator O'Neill: It's been working really well so far! Senator Pratt: Tell us when, Senator Birmingham. The PRESIDENT: Order, Senators O'Neill and Pratt! Senator BIRMINGHAM: next week at the COAG Education Council— The PRESIDENT: Senator Pratt, on a point of order? Senator Pratt: My question is very clearly: when? That is why I'm interjecting. My point is on relevance. He has not once mentioned any time scale in his answer and not come to the relevant point of time in my question. The PRESIDENT: Senator Pratt, I'm glad that you felt the urge to confess your error there about the interjections—they are always disorderly. I was having trouble hearing the last part of the minister's answer. I've allowed you to emphasise that part of the question, but I do believe the minister was being directly relevant to the earlier part of the question you read out. I cannot instruct him how to answer a question. I've given you the opportunity to emphasise part of it. The minister does however have six seconds left in his time to answer. I hope I can hear it. Senator BIRMINGHAM: And that is why next week the states and territories need to agree with the reforms the Commonwealth is asking them to pursue and get on with it. The PRESIDENT: Senator Pratt, a supplementary question?