Transcript - ABC News Breakfast

MICHAEL ROWLAND [HOST]: Well, plenty of headlines coming out of the education sector this morning. The states, as we have mentioned, are pushing for an increase in federal funding of public schools, while at the same time the Albanese Government has announced a doubling of the number of Regional University Study Hubs across the country to support regional and remote students. Lots to talk about. So, let's bring in the Assistant Minister for Education and Regional Development, Anthony Chisholm at Parliament House. Minister, very good morning to you.

ANTHONY CHISHOLM [ASSISTANT MINISTER]: Good morning, Michael, good to be with you.

ROWLAND: Firstly, for our viewers who might not know, what are Regional University Study Hubs?

CHISHOLM: So, these are community-established Hubs that have been set up in 46 locations across the country so far. And what they do is provide an opportunity for people to stay and study in their local community and they're as far as Cooktown in the north, I've been across the WA and seen operations in Broome and Busselton. And it means that people can stay and study in their local community and that means the next nurse, the next teacher are already there and can stay and study locally and then work locally. So, there's about 4,500 students studying at these across the country and we think it's important that the Federal Government provide support to expand these and create more opportunities for those people in regional and remote areas.

ROWLAND: Okay, tell us about the expansion being announced today.

CHISHOLM: So, as part of the University Accord process, which we went through last year, it recommended an additional 20 be established. So, we already announced ten earlier in the year. And what we are doing today is announcing that applications are open for another ten as well. And there's always high demand. There are a lot of communities out there around the country that want to apply, so I'm expecting there'll be some hot competition for these ten spots.

ROWLAND: Ok. Hey, listen, while we're speaking universities, the Federal Government, as our viewers would know, has proposed a cap on international student numbers and it's clear the anger in the sector, as you'd well know, has not abated. At an education conference yesterday, Mark Scott, the Sydney University Vice Chancellor, to describe what you're doing as a government, as, in his words, an act of self-harm. The outgoing Vice Chancellor at Melbourne University, Duncan Maskell, has described it as scandalous. Are you pushing ahead with this proposed cap or having second thoughts?

CHISHOLM: No, we're pushing ahead because it's important to ensure that there's integrity and social licence around international students and we're confident that at the end of this process the universities will have certainty about their numbers and how they'll apply. And also you need to recall, Michael, that there has been a number of terrible rorts over the years and the way that international students have been treated. We want to ensure that we return integrity to that and that those people who do come and study here have a good experience and that we do ensure that this important part of the economy in Australia's university sector is around for a long period to come.

ROWLAND: When is the government going to announce the individual caps for each university?

CHISHOLM: I know that the Education Department are engaged in discussions with universities. I've met with a lot of vice chancellors over the last couple of weeks, so I expect that announcement will be soon. But there is a lot of consultation going on behind the scenes with the higher education sector so that they know the government's approach.

ROWLAND: Ok, we'll see how that plays out. We're also reporting this morning there are delegations from states and territories in Canberra today pushing for the Federal Government to up your share of public school funding from 22.5 per cent to 25 per cent. Why won't you?

CHISHOLM: Well, we're in discussions with states and territories at the moment, Michael. I'm catching up with the Deputy Premiers of Victoria and NSW this afternoon and I'm looking forward to that discussion, hoping to catch up with Di Farmer, the Queensland Education Minister as well. Obviously, this comes down to money, but what Minister Clare has been pushing all along is that there's obviously money, an important component of this. But we want to ensure that we are making reforms that are going to make a difference and lift standards at the same time. So, we want to get that balance right, working constructively with the states to improve standards, but also ensure that we're injecting more money into the system as well. We've put over $12 billion on the table across the states and territories. The Northern Territory have put in extra money, WA have put in extra money. So, we want to see those other states and territories put in extra money as well to ensure that we get the best possible education system for the future.

ROWLAND: Ok, so I hear all of that, but am I also hearing that's a long way of saying no in terms of extra money from the feds?

CHISHOLM: Well, we have put extra money on the table, Michael -- 

ROWLAND: They want more.

CHISHOLM: But we think the states should put some extra money in as well.

ROWLAND: Ok. When the states put extra money in, will the Federal Government put extra money in?

CHISHOLM: Well, we have put extra money in, Michael. That's what's on the table now. That's what we've negotiated with the Northern Territory and WA, and we'll continue to work constructively with the states and territories on that. As I said, I'm meeting with the Education Ministers in Victoria and NSW. Those discussions will continue.

ROWLAND: Ok, big and welcome and finally, Minister, the introduction of this parliamentary legislation, setting up Parliamentary Standards Commission to improve some of the bad, bad behaviour we've seen in that building over recent years. Tell us about how this is going to work and how important, in your view, this is.

CHISHOLM: I think it's a very important issue and I think the Australian people expect better of us as politicians and also setting a standard for leadership in the workplace across the country as well. It's obviously a workplace that's heavily scrutinised, which is appropriate. People expect robust debate, but we should do that in a respectful way and ensure that our colleagues are looked after and ensure our staff are looked after at the same time. So, this is an important piece of work. It's been a long term project that I know Katy Gallagher has been working on from a Labor point of view, and I look forward to the introduction and supporting this legislation because I want to see standards improve and I want to see us set a good example across the rest of the country at the same time.

ROWLAND: Ok. We covered a lot of ground this morning. Anthony Chisholm, really appreciate your time. Thank you.

CHISHOLM: Thanks, Michael. Good to be with you.