I thank the Prime Minister for my appointment to the leadership team of the government as Manager of Government Business in the Senate, in addition to my continuing responsibilities as Minister for Education and Training. The Senate is Australia’s greatest parliamentary chamber but, for governments, also its most challenging. Successful management requires respect for the…
DetailsThe Turnbull Government will ensure the costs of Australia’s higher education system are sustainable and keep a strong focus on students’ needs as part of changes announced today. Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham said Australia has some of the world’s leading higher education institutions, but the cost and quality of the system must…
DetailsJoint media release with Acting Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Michaelia Cash The Turnbull Government will deliver $70 million to the National Computational Infrastructure (NCI) High Performance Computing (HPC) facility to replace its supercomputer. Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham said replacing the NCI’s supercomputer was identified as a vital and urgent recommendation…
DetailsThe Turnbull Government is continuing to reform Australia’s child care system, and today is announcing draft guidelines for a new approach to In Home Care. Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham said In Home Care “needs a re-set” to stop services abusing the system and squeezing out families who need this type of flexible care. “What we’ve seen…
DetailsTwo reports released today should serve as a warning signal to educators and policymakers that more needs to be done to boost student outcomes in reading, writing and numeracy and especially in the areas of citizenship and civics. Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham said the 2017 NAPLAN National Report confirms that student performance…
DetailsBill Shorten and Kristina Keneally must start telling the truth about schools funding and put an end to their lies. John Alexander and the Turnbull Government have a clear plan to boost investment in schools in a fair way and ensure those extra resources are focused on activities proven to boost student outcomes. Across NSW…
DetailsThe Australian Senate has set up an inquiry into the Weatherill Labor Government’s TAFE SA debacle. Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham welcomed the Senate agreeing to the inquiry that the Turnbull Government had proposed. “Jay Weatherill won’t do his job and hold Susan Close to account so the Australian Senate will,”…
DetailsAustralian Year 4 students have shown marked improvement in reading literacy outcomes, according to a new international comparative study. Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham said the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) showed Australian students improved their ranking from 27th (out of 45 countries) in 2011 to 21st (out of 50 countries)…
DetailsJoint media release with Interim Parliamentary Leader of the Nationals Nigel Scullion Applications open today for a new program to make access to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) easier for 1200 students living in regional and remote areas of Australia. Interim Parliamentary Leader of the Nationals Nigel Scullion said all Australians deserve to have…
DetailsJoint media release with Interim Parliamentary Leader of the Nationals Nigel Scullion Students in Darwin will gain valuable real-world skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), thanks to the Turnbull Government’s new Pathways in Technology (P-TECH) pilot program. Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham said Casuarina Senior College in Darwin would be the…
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