David Bevan: As I say, on Wednesdays we like to gather some of the big heavy hitters together to discuss for you the big national issues of the day. Of course, the GST is right front amongst them, but also is this decision by the High Court which will affect I think immediately about 200…
Lisa Wilkinson: There's been more threatening phone calls causing mass evacuations at schools across the country. While police try to establish who’s behind the hoaxes, there’s frustration in the community as students and teachers continue to face major students’ disruption. Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham is in Canberra for us and he joins us now.…
Simon Birmingham: Statistics show that 20 per cent of all Australian children start school with substandard vocabulary. They don’t understand, or know enough words to be able to kick off at school and succeed. Not just in reading or writing, but in all of the things that are required at school. And whilst we can do…
Michael Pachi: …And to tell us more about this we are joined by the Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham. Now Senator Birmingham thanks for your time Simon Birmingham: G'day Michael, Natalie and listeners, good to be with you. Michael Pachi: Now I believe you've had a look at these findings from this research, what would you…
E&OE TRANSCRIPT Press Conference January 30 2016 SIMON BIRMINGHAM: Today we have released data that confirms the enormous benefits that will flow to working Australian families from the Turnbull Government’s new child care reforms. Almost one million Australian families will be better off as a result of the new child care…
Nick Rheinberger: But right now Simon Birmingham the Minister for Education and Training joins us on the morning show. Mr Birmingham good morning. Simon Birmingham: Good morning Nick, and good morning to your listeners. Nick Rheinberger: You suggest that the Labor Party is saying they’re putting money first, this headline of Gonski and here’s the figure,…
Eleanor Hall: Some Australian universities are offering places to school leavers whose scores are way below the required course cut-off. Critics warn this will have dire consequences for the skill levels of our future teachers, lawyers and engineers. But the peak body representing universities say the scores are not the only measure of a student’s potential…
Simon Birmingham: …$37 billion that will only cause to drive the budget deficit higher. Labor continued to make the same kinds of mistakes in relation to education policy that they’ve made in the past. A belief that just spending more automatically improves educational outcomes and student outcomes. We know for a fact that that is…
Christopher Pyne: Everyone’s ready? Katrina Falkner: Well thank you for coming today. We’d very much like to welcome Mr Pyne and Mr Birmingham for coming and helping us announce the fantastic funding initiative that they are supporting us with. Over the past 18 months we’ve been running an open, free online course for teachers, for…
Matthew Abraham: It’s our first Super Wednesday of 2016, where we bring together key players in Federal politics who have their boots on the ground right here in South Australia. Liberal Senator Simon Birmingham is Minister for Education and joins us in the studio, welcome to the studio Simon Birmingham. Simon Birmingham: Good morning, great to…