2. CHARLES CHAUVEL (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Finance
How much funding did Budget 2007 allocate to education, and how does this compare to funding allocated in Budget 1999?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Minister of Finance) Link to this
Overall education funding increased from $5.7 billion in 1999-2000 to an estimated $10.5 billion in 2007-08—an increase of 80 percent.
Has the Minister received any reports on options for changing the funding mechanisms of New Zealand’s public education system?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
Yes, I have seen two completely contradictory reports. On Sunday, National leader John Key said that the party had looked pretty carefully at bulk funding and would likely reject it. The next day, Mrs Tolley said on radio that the party had had discussions about “a whole range of things” but that “bulk funding hasn’t really been one of those”.
What further reports has the Minister seen on support for changing the funding mechanism by reintroducing bulk funding?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
I have seen reports of continued strong support for bulk funding from National’s deputy education spokesperson, Mr Allan Peachey, who has completely failed to endorse his leader’s statement that National abandon its bulk-funding policy.