Page 1879 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 30 May 1990
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The debate has shown us the priority of the Government. It is looking for one-off economic benefits from the sale of school sites. It is quite prepared in that process to forget about the children in the schools. Mr Jensen made that clear today in his speech. He and I have no doubt the rest of the Government have given careful consideration to how those schools are to be sold and to maximise the income from them.
In debates also today and in recent times Mr Humphries has shown that he has not given that level of careful consideration to his management of school closures. Mr Humphries' management style is rather gung-ho. It was revealed today in the answer to a question he gave. I wrote it down rapidly as he spoke and I am pretty sure this is what the Hansard will reveal. Mr Humphries said, "When schools close, then we will examine buses and other incidental expenses". We will examine the need, I suppose is what he meant.
Mr Kaine: That is not what he said.
MR WOOD: We shall see the report tomorrow.
A member: When the decision is taken.
MR WOOD: When the decision is taken to close schools.
Mr Humphries: That is very different from saying "when they close".
MR WOOD: I accept that: "When the decision is taken to close schools, then we will look at buses and all those other things that need to be done". But surely, in any decent way of accounting and of considering what you have to do, you would know beforehand what those additional costs are going to be. I get as tired as Mr Humphries of having to push and push the point that he does not want to admit to. Before decisions are taken, because after you have taken the decision - - -
Ms Maher: Decisions have not been made yet.
MR WOOD: I am sorry; it is very difficult for you to accept this message. Once you make the decision to close a school, the decision is made. Then you are going to go down the path of seeing what buses are going to cost, what other facilities you are going to have to provide and all that.
Mr Collaery: Why do you think he issued a discussion paper, Bill?
MR WOOD: What discussion paper?
Mr Collaery: To cover all of the sequential ideas. You know that.
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