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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 9 Hansard (29 August) . . Page.. 2795 ..

MR STEFANIAK (continuing):

will apply - for example, the 50 per cent concession which applies to health care card holders, which, I think, Mr Speaker, amounts to a little bit less than the subsidised rate even for similar holders in the current system. I think that compares very favourably with the full cost of $1,350 a year for the 1996 program in the government colleges.

As I have indicated, the CIT has extensive experience in the daytime colleges. Quite a number - a considerable number, I am advised - of the current teachers can be taken on as part-time staff to teach at the CIT, which I think they will find very attractive. I understand that quite a number are already going to do that. Mr Speaker, I think we will see a very effective program that will bring considerable benefits to students, especially cost benefits, and I think that, with the CIT concessions for low-income earners, that probably compares more than favourably with the current evening college system.

MR BERRY: Mr Speaker, I have a supplementary question. Does the Minister agree that this outrageous action will reduce access for people who live out in the suburbs, for example, in Tuggeranong and North Canberra? Does he not agree that there is a considerable reduction in access by amalgamating all these services into these two colleges? I am glad he is not running the bus services, if he cannot tell that they face longer journeys than before to get from Tuggeranong to Reid and Bruce.

MR STEFANIAK: I do not know whether Mr Berry was ever Minister for Urban Services. I readily admit that I am not, Mr Berry. I occasionally catch buses. I have taught at the CIT. In fact, I have had classes there and students in the night class took buses home. On occasions, when I lived at Flynn, I would take a couple home, rather than them taking the bus.

Let us take an example, Mr Berry. Say you lived in Banks. Correct me if I am wrong, Mr De Domenico, but I think he would need to go to the Hyperdome and change buses to go to Erindale College. He would need two bus services. Correct me if I am wrong again, Mr De Domenico, but I understand that there is a service direct from Tuggeranong to Civic. In that example of Tuggeranong that you gave, Mr Berry, you still have to take two buses. I think you might be barking up the wrong tree.

Mrs Carnell: I ask that all further questions be placed on the notice paper.

MR DE DOMENICO: Mr Speaker, during question time yesterday Mr Osborne asked me about the cancellation of a school bus service, No. 610, to Gordon Primary School. I have been informed by ACTION that route 610 was cancelled due to low patronage. What Mr Osborne did not say was that there was an average of only 15 students catching that particular bus in the morning.

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