Deep Dive β Investigation 007
Education: Follow the Record
69,875 speeches. $338.3M in related donations. What changed?
69,875
Speeches
889
MPs Spoke
$338.3M
Related Donations
1998β2025
Time Span
Why It Matters
For over two decades, Australian MPs have debated education in Parliament. 69,875 speeches from 889 MPs tell a story of rhetoric that often outpaces legislative action.
69,875
Parliamentary speeches about education
Hansard parliamentary record
889
Distinct MPs who spoke on education
Hansard parliamentary record
$338.3M
In related industry donations to political parties
AEC annual returns
The parliamentary record on education reveals a pattern common across Australian politics: passionate debate in the chamber paired with limited legislative progress. Understanding this gap is the first step toward accountability.
Parliamentary Debate Over Time
Speeches about education peaked in 2014, driven by major policy debates of the era. The volume of parliamentary discussion has fluctuated significantly, often spiking around elections and key legislative moments.
Source: Hansard (parlinfo.aph.gov.au)
Key Moments
The turning points, broken promises, and moments of progress.
Early Education Debates
Parliamentary discussion of education begins in earnest.
Ongoing debatePeak Parliamentary Interest
The year with the most speeches on education, reflecting heightened public concern.
Heightened scrutinyCurrent State
Where the parliamentary debate on education stands today.
Under reviewFollow the Dollar
A total of $338.3M in related donations flowed to political parties. The data reveals which industries have the deepest financial ties to the parties that shape policy on this issue.
Source: AEC annual returns. Amounts are declared donations only.
$99.7M
Total related donations received
$99.4M
Total related donations received
$34.4M
Total related donations received
The Union Education Foundation Limited
$39.4M30 donations over 2009-2010-2024-25
University of Melbourne
$33.3M159 donations over 2002-2003-2024-25
Department of Education and Training Victoria
$16.2M48 donations over 2021-22-2024-25
Australian Education Union (AEU)
$15.7M9 donations over 2022-23-2024-25
Australian Education Union (AEU) Federal Office
$14.9M9 donations over 2018-19-2021-22
Department of Education, Skills and Employment
$12.9M12 donations over 2019-20-2022-23
How They Actually Vote
Voting record scores from TheyVoteForYou.org.au. Higher percentage means more supportive of policy action on this issue.
Source: TheyVoteForYou.org.au. Scores based on parliamentary division voting records.
In Their Own Words
Direct quotes from the parliamentary record β sourced from Hansard.
2009-10-29
βIt is my pleasure today to congratulate the 15 students of the QUTeach@Redcliffe program who graduated on Tuesday night at Redcliffe State High School. Eleven of the students who graduated that night were from Redcliffe State High School, with two frβSpoke FOR action
2010-06-22
βI am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on this matter of public importance placed on the Notice Paper by the member for Lyne. I realised, as I was closely reading the topic and listening to the member for Kennedy, that I had probably misundersβSpoke FOR action
2004-06-24
βI want to speak about schools in my electorate of Greenway and about education in general. I think it is generally recognised that Greenway is the educational capital of Western Sydney, due to its vast educational facilities. I do not expect you to tβSpoke FOR action
2007-02-26
βTeacher education is undeniably important to the social and economic wellbeing of Australia. Research has found that the quality of teaching a student receives is the most important factor influencing their achievement. This means that better qualityβSpoke FOR action
2007-05-09
βI thank the member for Solomon for his question. I can confirm that, last night, the Treasurer announced an unprecedented investment in our universitiesβa $1.7 billion package of funds for our universities, plus a $5 billion Higher Education EndowmenβSpoke FOR action
2015-02-23
βI thank the member for Casey for his question. I can tell him that, in more good news from the Abbott government, we are getting on with the job of improving student outcomes for students at school in Australia, this time by improving teacher traininβSpoke FOR action
Who Spoke Most?
The MPs who spoke most frequently on this issue. Speaking volume does not equal commitment to action.
Key Findings
What the Data Reveals
Automated analysis of speeches, votes, and donations β surfacing the patterns that matter.
What Can You Do?
This data is a tool for citizen engagement. Here is how you can act.
Contact Your MP
Tell your representative you care about education policy.
Find your MPβCheck Donation Records
See who funds your local member.
AEC Transparency RegisterβRead the Hansard
Read what your MP actually said about education.
Parliamentary HansardβShare This Investigation
Help others understand the gap between rhetoric and action.
Copy linkβThis investigation uses data from Hansard (parlinfo.aph.gov.au), the Australian Electoral Commission transparency register, and TheyVoteForYou.org.au. All speech data is sourced from the official parliamentary record. OPAX is an independent, non-partisan project.