Page 2134 - Week 10 - Thursday, 26 October 1989
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representatives, by the way, of the Teachers Federation and the Preschool Society - sought to identify savings that could be made in the cost of operation of the preschool system. To quote from page 31 of the report, "The Committee has reached the conclusion that, given due regard to the ease of access consideration, there is a case for a number of existing single unit part-time preschools to be amalgamated with a neighbouring preschool to create a full-time unit".
A member: But the qualification is the access.
MR WHALAN: Yes, that was an important qualification. The committee advocates close consultation with the Canberra Preschool Society and the communities affected by such amalgamations. The process of consultation which is being undertaken at the moment in relation to this issue is that the Department of Education has been in close contact with the area preschool advisory committees, which are made up of parents representing the preschools, very dedicated people interested in the future of preschool education - - -
Mr Collaery: I rise on a point of order, Mr Speaker. The community wants to ask questions in this hour and we are getting into speeches again from the Minister. It is an important topic, admittedly, but if he has a speech to make he should make it under ministerial statements. Yes or no would suffice.
MR SPEAKER: Please be brief, Minister.
MR WHALAN: I will finish, Mr Speaker, but I will not be told how to answer the question by the members of the opposition. The process of consultation will extend to include members of the Preschool Society and, indeed, members of the ministerial schools consultative committee.
MR HUMPHRIES: I ask a supplementary question, Mr Speaker. Minister, I ask once again, in simple terms: will you confirm that no preschool will close unless the preschool community agrees?
MR WHALAN: Mr Speaker, I have quoted to you the approach to this matter which has been recommended by the Chase committee report. The Chase committee report is quite clear. It has recommended an approach to this matter, and in relation to the amalgamations of preschools that is the course which not only do we intend to adopt but which we are adopting at this moment.
Welfare Maze
MR WOOD: Mr Speaker, I am prompted by Mr Collaery's question earlier to direct another one to the Minister who has responsibility for welfare in the ACT, the Minister for
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