Page 2066 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 25 October 1989
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the preschool under different conditions from other areas, for a specific purpose, and that relates to its proximity to a major employment centre. There are certain aspects of that particular preschool which are taken into account there.
In other cases it is quite clear that, as enrolments decline, there has to be appropriate administrative action taken in relation to the school. So in some preschools, as numbers decline, the number of preschool groups within that particular location is reduced. Eventually it might be reduced to only a part-time preschool situation. In all of these circumstances the Government continually reviews the operations of the preschool system in consultation with a number of groups. Among those key consulting groups that the Government speaks to are the area preschool advisory groups, the preschool society and my own consultative committee on schooling as well as, of course, the professional groups who are involved in preschools. It is essential that over time that review continues to be maintained.
After the controversy surrounding the introduction of preschool fees, there was a review of preschooling by the Chase committee. That was a committee which was representative of the various groups that have got an interest in preschooling. Indeed, the recommendation of that particular group was that the Government should give consideration to the amalgamation of a number of smaller, part-time preschools. I think the number that the Chase committee identified was about 15. So there is a process under way. Currently, no decisions have been made, and I wish to emphasise that because there are some misconceptions that decisions have been made. No decisions have been made in relation to any preschool closing or in relation to any amalgamations, which is the more appropriate way of describing the situation. A process of detailed consultation is under way at this point of time.
MR MOORE: I have a supplementary question. I actually asked you for quite a categorical statement. In the Estimates Committee the chairman, Mr Jensen, said, "There is a possibility that this particular proposal in the budget papers may not in fact go ahead". You replied, "That is quite possible". What I asked you was whether you would verify or reiterate the proposal on page 549, that no preschool need necessarily close. What I would like to hear you state is that that statement is reasonable or not reasonable.
MR WHALAN: Because I made it, that statement is of course very reasonable, as are all my statements.
A member: And moderate.
MR WHALAN: And moderate. The fact is that this is so, and that remains the situation, but there are certain realities that have to be faced, and we are going through that
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