Page 4382 - Week 15 - Wednesday, 21 November 1990
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from a distressed parent, I think from Lyons, was, "We just want the best for our kids. That is what we want out of an education system". That is a reasonable expectation in the community. It is a reasonable expectation that persons elected to this Assembly, that governments, will provide people with what they want, which is the best possible educational opportunities for their kids; that they will not see education as the big area to hack, slash and burn in an attempt to demonstrate budgetary savings. As Mr Moore points out, and as he pointed out very effectively in his additional comments in the Estimates Committee report, they are not cutting everywhere else. The areas where this Alliance Government - this Residents Rally warm and cuddly influenced Government, they would like the community to think - is cutting back are education, social welfare and health. That is where the hacking is occurring.
Mrs Grassby: Hypocrites.
MR CONNOLLY: Indeed, Mrs Grassby, hypocrites. The community should be entitled to expect that the priority in education is the educational advantage of children, the best possible education for their children. There is no question, Mr Speaker, that retaining the schools would serve that interest.
We heard a lot of nonsense earlier on in this debate from members of the Government that suggested that in some way the smaller schools in Canberra were at the point where they had lost their educational viability. Well, that is one point Mr Hudson has effectively put to rest. He says:
There is a limit in an urban community to the extent to which a primary school can lose enrolments and remain effective.
Mr Humphries: That is right.
MR CONNOLLY: Well, indeed, Mr Humphries, is that right? That must be right. A primary school of three students is not effective. However, in principle, I believe that this does not apply until a school's enrolment falls still further below the current enrolment of Lyons and Hackett so long as the school is properly resourced. So, Lyons and Hackett schools - these schools which are going to be cut by this Government, closed down, one later this year and one in the mid part of next year - Mr Hudson says, clearly, remain educationally viable.
There is no doubt that the ACT public education system is an excellent one. Yesterday, in the matter of public importance, the Minister, in defending himself against our attack on him, was extolling the virtues of the ACT public education system, and a virtuous system it is and it is proper that we should be proud of it. Our point is that he is attacking it. He is closing down schools. You cannot continue to claim credit for the benefit of this system while you are attacking it, root and branch. You cannot
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