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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 1 Hansard (17 February) . . Page.. 269 ..
MR STEFANIAK (continuing):
Look at some of the things we have done in information technology. The $20m commitment actioned from 1998 included free educational software of $12m. All of our government teachers now have their own computer, and have had since July of last year. We have also provided all government schools with annual additional grants varying between $10,000 and $30,000 to enable them to upgrade their IT infrastructure and provide additional computers. We did our own survey towards the end of last year and found that the ACT had one computer to every 4.8 primary students, one to every 4.7 high school students and one to every 4.5 college students. That makes a nonsense of this report. Those figures show that the Government, in working towards one computer between every two students in our government school system by the end of 2001, is well and truly on track.
All in all, it is a rather disappointing report. I am glad the Canberra Times, in their editorial, raised some concerns about it too. I have taken the matter up with Dr Kemp. I have written to him. I will be seeing him fairly shortly in MCEETYA and I will take it up further. As I said, the Commonwealth usually provides very good statistical information, but occasionally there are things wrong with it and that tends to spoil all the good work that the Commonwealth statistics usually do when they come out.
Mr Stanhope: What did you think of that letter from Wanniassa High School this morning? Tell us about that.
MR HIRD: I ask a supplementary question. I was concerned to read that, Minister. I am pleased to hear your comments, and I daresay those opposite and those on the crossbenches also will be pleased to learn that you are taking up the cause. Of course, when we talk of causes, the Carnell Government was one of the first governments in Australia to bring on this sort of program - - -
MR SPEAKER: Question, please!
MR HIRD: I would ask you whether you intend to continue - - -
Mr Kaine: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I understand there may be no preamble to a supplementary question.
MR SPEAKER: I uphold the point of order. Ask your supplementary question, please, without preamble.
MR HIRD: I owe him one and I will return the favour later. My supplementary question is: Does the Minister intend to keep up the good work of the Carnell Government in putting more computers into schools? Bill, you are a rugby player. Please do not pick on those poor Matildas over the weekend. We need them for the Olympics.
MR STEFANIAK
: I will certainly try not to. Mate, they will run rings around me. The Matildas are excellent. I am glad you asked about computers in schools, Mr Hird, because only a couple of hours ago I announced a further government initiative aimed at achieving our goal. I announced a major new information technology program for three of our Canberra colleges which will also have ramifications for other schools because it
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