Reverend the Hon. Dr GORDON MOYES: My question without notice is directed to the Attorney General, on behalf of the Minister for Education and Training. Is the Minister aware of the worrying evidence that shows an increasing number of State schools are turning away bright students who want to study advanced mathematics due to a lack of qualified teachers? Is the Minister aware that 40 per cent of senior school mathematics teachers do not have a maths major at tertiary level? In particular, is the Minister aware that the 2007 Trends in International Mathematics and Science study shows achievement scores in year 8 mathematics have steadily declined since 1995 compared to the United States and the United Kingdom? Given the Federal Government's commitment to educational revolution, can the Minister explain why New South Wales students will have brand new laptops in their classrooms, but no qualified mathematics teachers? Can the Minister inform the House what policies are being implemented to address the shortage of qualified mathematics teachers in New South Wales and prevent a growing disparity in access to mathematics education across the public and private education systems? [Time expired.]

The Hon. JOHN HATZISTERGOS: I thank the honourable member for the question. I will refer it to the Minister in the other place.