Page 2549 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 8 August 1990
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yesterday, there was no targeted sum for savings in the schools budget? Did all Government members know that the Treasurer is expecting a surplus in the budget, as he said yesterday? Did Dr Kinloch know that when he moved the motion to close schools?
We still believe that the school closures are unjustified and that this community can afford to pay for those schools. The Government can and should give education spending the priority which is expected and demanded by the community. The possibilities for saving exist in other areas. The Government is presiding over waste and extravagance on a massive scale.
Mr Kaine: That sounds pretty good coming from you after last year's budget - - -
MR ACTING SPEAKER: Order, members! Let her continue.
MS FOLLETT: Thank you, Mr Acting Speaker. Not only is the Speaker junketing off to the Cook Islands, but we also see a growing stream of Ministers, Executive Deputies and staff travelling interstate for lengthy periods.
Mr Collaery: Who went to Darwin?
MS FOLLETT: While the Ministers - - -
Mr Kaine: Yes. Who went to Darwin?
Mr Collaery: Who went to Darwin to stay with her sister?
MR ACTING SPEAKER: Order, members!
MS FOLLETT: Mr Acting Speaker, we do seem to have a bad case of obstreperous interruptus on the Government benches and I think you should call them to order. They are very tetchy indeed. Very, very tetchy. Where is the next junket to?
While Ministers are sleeping it off in Perth at the taxpayers' expense, Canberra schools are being closed. The Government is throwing away money in other areas, but still insists on betraying this community by closing its schools.
Let us look at the ridiculous upgrading of the Ainslie shopping centre pavement. More pink pavers are being put down there when there was nothing wrong with it the way it was. I would ask the Treasurer why he does not consider making savings out of the $24m paid last year to consultants. Or why not simply allocate to schools the budget surplus which the Treasurer so confidently expects? I expect that this Bill will lie on the table for the next week. That week gives the people of Canberra some time to bring home to the members of the Government even further what their decision on schools will mean. What it means is upheaval and upset for many children. Their decision means disruption for Canberra's education. Their decision means
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