Dr JOHN KAYE: My question is directed to the Minister for Roads and Ports, representing the Minister for Education. Will the Minister explain to the House how much of the Department of Education and Communities agency savings plan, pursuant to the director general's performance agreement with the Premier, will be delivered by measures implemented by the director general in respect of the 30 per cent of the schools education budget that will remain under the director general's control and how much will be implemented in respect of the 70 per cent controlled by school principals under the Local Schools, Local Decisions program? Will the Minister provide the dollar amounts for each of those categories of savings in each of the budget forward estimates years?

The Hon. DUNCAN GAY: I thank Dr John Kaye for his question. I do not know whether the member is aware, has read, has heard, or has watched any of the media surrounding the Local Schools, Local Decisions program, but now is the time for him to listen. Local Schools, Local Decisions is a major education reform that is focused on improving quality teaching, putting students at the heart of decision making, and directing resources to where they will make the most difference. That is all very important. This reform is not a cost-cutting exercise.

No matter what Dr John Kaye might try to say or the spin he puts on it, this reform is not a cost-cutting exercise. The Premier, the Minister for Education and the director general have said that. The Government is committed to giving schools more decision-making authority because we believe schools are best placed to improve student outcomes. Over the next three to five years, school principals will have control of 70 per cent of their budget. To answer Dr John Kaye's question—the total Education budget will not be cut. The Premier, the Minister and the director general have all said that. This reform is about moving resources out of the State office into schools.

The Hon. Walt Secord: At this stage.

The Hon. DUNCAN GAY: The Hon. Walt Secord should not talk about education because we know about his involvement with Cecil Hills High School. If I were he, I would be very quiet when education matters are discussed.

The Hon. Walt Secord: I am very active, Duncan. I am on your tail.

The Hon. DUNCAN GAY: It is one thing to listen to bleating, but it is another thing to listen to veiled threats coming across the Chamber from the school bully and disgraced former adviser to the Labor Party.

The Hon. Walt Secord: It was not a threat, but a promise.

The Hon. Amanda Fazio: Point of order: If the Minister for Roads and Ports wishes to make comments of that nature about another member, he should do so by placing notice of a motion on the Notice Paper. He also should refer to the Hon. Walt Secord by his proper title and not by some stupid nickname.

The Hon. DUNCAN GAY: I did.

The Hon. Amanda Fazio: He did not. He called the Hon. Walt Secord a school bully. About the only school bully in this place is the Hon. Duncan Gay from Newington boarding school. He has form.

The PRESIDENT: Order! I did not hear the original remark, so I am unable to make a ruling on this occasion. However, I remind all members to avoid making personal reflections during their contributions in the House.

The Hon. DUNCAN GAY: As I was saying, this reform is about moving resources out of State office into schools to provide schools with the ability to manage more than 70 per cent of the total public school education budget. Currently schools manage up to 600 separate line items and small program budgets, so we are reducing red tape and bureaucracy in the back office. Savings will be made in the back office, and we are unapologetic about those savings. We have confidence in our principals' ability to manage 70 per cent of their school budget. It is a shame that the crossbench does not share that confidence in our principals and local communities. [Time expired.]