Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) — I would like to speak briefly on this bill, the Education and Training Reform Amendment (Funding of Non Government Schools) Bill 2014. This bill provides a formula to ensure that nongovernment schools receive at least 25 per cent of recurrent education funding. It is at this point that I have a problem with this bill. If we are looking at an equitable and fair system for our education funding, I do not think that providing a blanket flat rate for any nongovernment school answers that. I certainly believe in education and agree with the minister when he said in...

Ms Patten (Northern Metropolitan) — President, I congratulate you on your re-election. It is a role I know you will continue to discharge with the fairness and professionalism you have shown in the past. I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land we stand on today, the Kulin nation. I pay my respects to their elders, both past and present. From Brunswick to Broadmeadows and Carlton to Craigieburn, I cannot believe how lucky I am to be representing the Northern Metropolitan Region of Victoria. It is as diverse a region as you will find anywhere in Australia and a melting pot for...