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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 4 Hansard (25 June) . . Page.. 1027 ..

MS TUCKER (continuing):

review Auditor-General's Report No. 1, 1998 - Management of Preschool Education.

As I stated in the debate on the motion, in agreeing to undertake the review of the Auditor-General's report, the committee believed that, in this instance, this course of action would result in more effective and efficient utilisation of both Assembly and community resources and less confusion in the community. Furthermore, in undertaking the inquiry into the future provision of preschool education, the committee's intention always was to work with the Government and the community to identify whether there are inefficiencies in the preschool sector and, if so, to work towards finding solutions which will improve efficiency. It is implicit that any examination of the future provision of preschool education, in relation to access and changing demographic patterns, must address the matter of where services should be provided, including any need to change the existing locations of services.

Any examination of the future provision of preschool services must also investigate the most efficient ways of providing effective preschool services. Canberra preschools are very effective, as the Auditor-General confirmed. Any changes to the system must not sacrifice the quality and effectiveness of preschool programs. Already there has been strong community interest in the inquiry. The community is welcoming the opportunity for extensive consultation on the matter. The committee is aiming to complete the inquiry by September this year. We are looking forward to working with the Minister for Education, his department and the community.

MR OSBORNE (10.57): Mr Speaker, I seek leave to move the motion on the notice paper in my name.

Leave granted.

MR OSBORNE: I move:

That the resolution of the Assembly of 28 April 1998 appointing a Select Committee on the Report of the Review of Governance be amended by omitting paragraph (3) and substituting the following paragraph:

"(3) The Committee report by the first sitting day of 1999.".

This motion extends the reporting date for the Select Committee on the Report of the Review of Governance from the first sitting day in August to the first sitting day of 1999. Estimates Committee meetings are coming up, a number of members are going on holidays and all members want to cover a lot of issues in this inquiry. My view is that we should take advantage of this opportunity to have a look at every issue. The committee

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