Senator KIM CARR (Victoria—Minister for Human Services) (14:40): I thank Senator Nash for her sudden interest in schools. It has been a long time since we have heard anything from the National Party on the question of schools. What we can say with confidence is that this is a government that has delivered record funding for school education, almost doubling the amount of money available for every schoolchild across the Commonwealth of Australia. We can contrast that with the cuts that are occurring by conservative state governments to education across the Commonwealth. We can also say with absolute confidence that the 2012-13 budget includes $13.9 billion for schools and youth programs and that this is a government that is maintaining a substantial commitment to the improvement of the resourcing of schooling right across Australia. We can also be absolutely confident that the Commonwealth is funding schools on a basis of appropriate indexation. The funding is based on average government school recurrent costs, which takes into account the effects of increases in the operational costs, including such matters as electricity. So the whole premise of your question, Senator Nash, is fundamentally flawed, like your thinking on so many matters when it comes to education. It is a sad, sad day when the National Party tries to lecture this government about the value of education and tries to lecture us about supporting it. Senator Nash: Mr President, I raise a point of order on relevance. I specifically asked the minister the very simple question of whether or not he was aware of the New South Wales Treasury modelling. The PRESIDENT: The question was broader than that. The minister has 22 seconds remaining and I believe the minister is answering the question. Senator KIM CARR: I also draw the Senate's attention to the $16 billion for the BER. Every country school across the Commonwealth benefits. We know the truth of this because of the National Party members and senators who turn up for the openings. They will argue the case here that it is no good, but they will turn up for the opening and get their photograph in the local paper. (Time expired) Senator Cameron interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! Senator Cameron.