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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1996 Week 12 Hansard (21 November) . . Page.. 4133 ..

MS TUCKER (continuing):

We did not have very much time to look at children's services in the Estimates Committee hearings. I put a number of questions on notice, which produced some interesting answers. There has been a notable increase in the number of people in Quamby assessed as having mental health problems. In 1994 there were three; in 1995-96 there were 14. This is an issue that needs addressing, and I have no doubt that the Social Policy Committee will consider it in its inquiry.

In regard to family support and education, I believe that there is a need for greater focus on preventative measures and family support. The fact that there are no performance measures on these issues in the output statements is of concern. I was also surprised that the Government kept no records about the number of visits that take place under supervision orders.

MR BERRY (3.11 am): Mr Stefaniak, when he was talking a little while ago on the sale of assets to fund recurrent expenditure, asked, "What is wrong with that?". There is a lot wrong with that. If you are selling your schools to fund recurrent expenditure within the system, you will pretty soon run out of an education system. That is plainly what is wrong with that. What is wrong with it in terms of Charnwood High School? That is well known. They were bludgeoned into the closure of that school by the withdrawal of funds. There was a sneak attack on the community there, a community that needed a strong public education system nearby. Of course, the Liberals broke their promise in relation - - -

Mr Stefaniak: Why did you not do something about it? You had five years to do something.

MR BERRY: I am glad that you interjected and asked us that question. We did something. We developed new suburbs and improved the catchment area for that school. If it were not for your ideological position in relation to the matter, and your willingness to breach your election promises, the school would be still open. I am surprised that this Government is able to survive with its persistent attitude to its education system. How could somebody like Mr Moore, who says that he supports education, support a Minister who asks the question, "What is wrong with selling our schools to fund recurrent spending within the education system"?

Mr Hird: That is not what he said.

MR BERRY: That is what he said. He said that it was all right to sell Charnwood High School to fund programs within the system. "What is wrong with that?", he said. This attitude of selling off assets to pay for recurrent funding permeates the whole Government. It is all about popularity, short-term gains and the next election. Do not worry about the community. Do not worry about the society. Worry about the economy. We live in a society, not in an economy. You have to pick up a little bit of that sort of commitment before you get anywhere in ensuring the future of our children in education.

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