Page 4436 - Week 15 - Wednesday, 21 November 1990
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They are continuing to deliver the same level of service that they ever did. It is becoming a very efficient operation. It is scaling down its use of resources, reducing the number of campuses, and delivering the same level of services that the community expects.
So I accept the general proposition that it is an excellent system, and I do not think the Leader of the Opposition said anything to contradict that. I believe that the direction in which we are moving, however - to put it onto a far more self-sustaining basis, and to get it out there marketing its product and getting revenues from other sources to take the burden off the taxpayer - is the right way to go, and it is being done very effectively.
MR JENSEN (4.32): Mr Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to make some comments on one aspect of the TAFE operations which I think is very important. Recently, members of the Assembly were invited to attend an open day and birthday celebrations at the Narrabundah TAFE Outreach Centre in the Narrabundah area, and I noticed that some of the members from here, in fact, attended that. It was a very impressive function, from my point of view, certainly. My colleagues of the Rally joined me, and I know that I saw Mr Wood there as well.
Mr Humphries: And Robyn.
MR JENSEN: Mrs Nolan was there as well.
Mrs Nolan: Thank you.
MR JENSEN: I am sorry, Mrs Nolan; I was trying to think. I think this outreach group, which is ably led by Betty Dawson, also operates a similar, slightly smaller operation at the Richardson Community House. This provides a service for the community in need, at the coalface so to speak, and it provides a major opportunity for those less disadvantaged groups to develop self-esteem and self-worth. In fact, some of them, I understand, have gone on to develop their self-worth and self-esteem to such an extent that they have been able to obtain a degree from one of our tertiary institutions. I think that is a very important aspect.
Another important matter that I noted was the commencement of an Aboriginal education program, which I think is very important because it proposes to teach not only young urban Aboriginals but also other Australians about the nature of Aboriginal lifestyles. I think that is a very important aspect and I would seek to encourage the continuation of this operation to ensure that this much needed facility continues to be provided for that part of our community.
Proposed expenditure agreed to.
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