Tinetti JanJAN TINETTI (Labour): I am absolutely delighted to have the last call in the second reading of the Education (School Donations) Amendment Bill. I sadly didn't get the opportunity to listen to all of the speeches here because I like Mr Macindoe had another meeting that I had to go to. But I'm actually sad and a little bit pleased because what I have heard from the other side wasn't quite correct. I'm actually having to stop as I say that because I'm having to think about polite language to use that is in line with what I can use in this House.First of all I'd like to say that I'm a little bit perturbed that we've got the National Party sitting on the other side of the House who are constantly negative towards this Government. They have no new ideas—no new ideas—and this is absolutely one of those examples of that. They are like the kids that won't go out and play four square because they weren't the ones that came up with the idea first.They are absolutely and totally against this bill because they didn't come up with that idea first. And to say that this is a band-aid? I challenge that member Nicola Willis to go and talk to the principals in deciles 1 to 7 schools what they are making of this bill. And I challenge that speaker to go and say to them that this is a band-aid.I will also tell the previous speaker that their decision to look at the funding review was widely criticised throughout the sector because there wasn't enough detail in that review. That is the reason why that was stopped in its tracks. We are looking at that at this present point in time to find a better way through. Just replacing one blunt instrument with another is simply not good enough.This might be a simple bill but it will have huge positive implications for the schooling sector. Yes we are prioritising deciles 1 to 7 schools but as the Minister said in his speech this does not prevent deciles 8 to 10 schools from being eligible for the scheme in the future. We can't solve all the issues that happened over those nine years—we cannot solve all of those issues in one go—but this is an extremely good start and I am proud to be part of the team that is putting this through.This bill is another example of this Government tackling the big long-term issues in this country and school funding is one of those issues. We are making education cheaper for our families not only by allowing schools to apply for this particular grant but also by getting rid of things like the NCEA fees.I was really concerned when I heard the member Jo Hayes questioning the integrity of school principals and boards of trustees. I found that one of the most shocking things that I have heard in this House—by saying that schools would still be doing this and that they would effectively be lying when they would say that they weren't asking for school donations. How frustrating for school principals when you get a member from the other side who stands up and says Oh well they don't have auditing systems; they won't have an audit for this. This hasn't been thought through." Does she not realise that schools have extensive audits every single year?Marja Lubeck: No idea.JAN TINETTI: No idea. And already recovery systems are in place when there have been overpayments or different payments in the school system. That was embarrassing absolutely embarrassing and shameful.This as I've said is a very very simple bill. We heard from the submitters—we only had a few that came in but we had a number that made submissions. I really enjoyed reading through all of those submissions. They highlighted the complexities in school funding and if some of those members on the other side had actually taken the time to read through them they might have a better understanding of the school funding system. And I really thank those submitters for helping this House understand how complex school funding actually is.This bill will make a difference to those deciles 1 to 7 schools. I know this. I know that as a school principal I would have been really excited. I would have been excited because it would have meant a difference and $30000 to my school funding.Marja Lubeck: How much?JAN TINETTI: $30000. That makes a big difference to young people in that school. It makes a big difference to parents who don't have the ability to be able to afford—Nicola Willis: What about the refugees at decile 8 schools in my area—what about them? They get nothing.JAN TINETTI: Now I can hear this noise coming from the other side of the House talking about deciles 8 to 10 schools. Let's talk about that for a moment. Those deciles 8 to 10 schools—as the Minister said that doesn't stop them being eligible for this in the future.But let me tell you about one decile 10 school that I went to two weeks ago—actually it was with the member here Dr Duncan Webb in Christchurch—which charges $350 for their donations every year and was it 80 percent that they get in?Dr Duncan Webb: At least 80.JAN TINETTI: At least 80 percent. She said "I wouldn't even look at this bill. It's not something that I would look at."Angie Warren-Clark: Or need.JAN TINETTI: Or need. But in the future there might be that opportunity there for her to actually have that because that's what the Minister has said.We did recommend changes in select committee. They have been highlighted by the Minister so I don't need to talk about those here. But I will finish up by saying that this is a wonderful step towards free education—a really truly free education system in this country one that I am really proud of and one that will make a difference to a large number of families but more importantly a large number of students in this country. I commend this bill to the House."