Parliamentary Session Concludes with Key Debates

Australia's parliamentary question time concluded for the week, addressing several significant national issues. These included public education funding, elder abuse, and the government's response to online gambling. The proceedings also saw a Nationals MP ejected for repeated interjections.

Education Funding Criticized by Greens

The Greens party has attributed the decline in public school enrollment to "decades of underfunding." Senator Penny Allman-Payne, spokesperson for primary and secondary education, cited new Australian Bureau of Statistics data showing a record low percentage of students in government schools.

Allman-Payne stated that public schools are struggling due to insufficient funding, while private schools receive substantial taxpayer subsidies.

She contested Labor's claims of fully funding public schools by 2034, stating that most public schools will remain below their Gonski funding levels by then, while federal funding for the private system is projected to reach $20 billion by 2026.

Government Addresses Elder Abuse Concerns

Independent MP Rebekha Sharkie questioned the absence of a national plan to combat elder abuse since 2023. She noted that at least one in six older people report experiencing abuse or neglect.

Attorney-General Michelle Rowland acknowledged the severity of elder abuse, stating that "work on that is under way" and that announcements regarding progress would be made soon. Rowland emphasized collaborative efforts between state and commonwealth governments and improved data understanding informing policy.

Funding for Islamic Organizations Debated

Liberal MP Leon Rebello repeatedly questioned Minister for Multicultural Affairs Anne Aly regarding government funding to Islamic organizations that reportedly mourned the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Aly refuted the implication of "secret" funding, stating that all grant decisions are public. She confirmed that her department had stopped an active grant process for the Melbourne-based TAHA group.

The government reiterates its expectation that all funded organizations adhere to standards aligned with Australian taxpayer expectations.

No Timeline for Online Gambling Inquiry Response

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie sought a timeline for the government's response to the Murphy gambling inquiry and the legislation of a ban on gambling advertising. Communications and Sports Minister Anika Wells did not provide a timeline.

Wells highlighted the government's implementation of online wagering harm reduction initiatives, including the BetStop self-exclusion register and a ban on credit card use for online betting.

A recent review found BetStop successful in its objectives, despite warnings in the report about the scheme being bypassable and issues with data matching.

Parliamentary Conduct Incident

Nationals MP Jamie Chaffey was ejected from the chamber by Speaker Milton Dick for interjecting 15 times during a dixer to Clare O’Neil.