Page 1015 - Week 04 - Thursday, 18 June 1992
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did, and we were against Ms Szuty looking into this. I think that she came forward with that with a very good heart and that she feels very strongly about young people in this city who are unemployed. I agree with her that it is a difficult time for them, but I think it could be looked at by the Tourism and ACT Promotion Committee, which may come up with some ideas.
Debate (on motion by Mr Moore) adjourned.
Sitting suspended from 12.20 to 2.30 pm
ABSENCE OF CHIEF MINISTER
MR BERRY: Madam Speaker, Ms Follett is not able to be in the Assembly for an unpredictable time this afternoon as a result of a pressing family matter, and I will be taking any questions that members might wish to ask of her.
QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Education Budget
MR KAINE: I address a question to Mr Wood, Madam Speaker. In the budget strategy statement of two days ago the Chief Minister indicated that she had asked her managers to do better with fewer resources. I presume that that means the Education Department as well as everybody else. Can the Minister tell us whether he is considering making savings in the education budget from downsizing, to use the modern term, his administration; and, since 60 per cent of the budget is staff salaries, will this downsizing mean a reduction of staff in non-teaching positions in both schools and the central office of the department?
MR WOOD: Mr Kaine has correctly reflected what is in the Chief Minister's budget strategy document, and he will know that I am under instructions from the Treasurer - and happy to be so - that I should come back to her with my proposals in respect of the portfolio areas under my responsibility, including environment, land and planning. I will be doing that. I am presently discussing with officers of all my departments the way I may meet the demands of the Treasurer. I think Mr Kaine, a former Treasurer, will understand that I am not about to speculate publicly on what I may or may not be doing. I know that I am giving you much the same sort of answer that the Chief Minister herself has given to similar sorts of questions.
MR KAINE: I ask a supplementary question, Madam Speaker. I understand that the Minister would be reluctant to speculate on next year's actions, but the Chief Minister had a target in the current fiscal year of reducing the numbers in the public service by 250 people by redundancy. How many of those have, in fact, come out of the Education Department in the current year?
MR WOOD: Yes, we had to meet a target in education. The target of redundancies was met. From memory, it was something between 30 and 40 people; but I will check the precise number and get back to you. Certainly, the target was met. It was met rather later than our original target date because we went through the proper procedure of negotiating with relevant unions.
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