Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 03 Hansard (Tuesday, 9 March 2004) . . Page.. 900 ..

these schools with a platform for innovation and the integration of ICT into teaching and learning, particularly online opportunities. It is fantastic for students; it is fantastic for teachers.

As we know, the ACT has a very high rate of connectivity per capita when compared with the rest of the country. And with such a high rate of use in the general community, particularly in homes, it is important that schools provide students with as effective access to IT services as what they have in their homes. This achievement is a significant advance over services that have previously been able to be provided in schools.

The schools are now connected to two megabyte synchronous broadband service that will enable them to have improved internet access for students and high speed access for teachers and administrative staff to departmental services and resources. The department will be able to provide a significantly improved remote IT support service. Schools will now be able to plan for multimedia educational opportunities and other innovations.

The best IT in schools is vital if we are to maintain our excellent results nationally and performance of our schools. It is fantastic that students in Gungahlin finally have access to a level of internet access that will benefit learning opportunities not only for themselves but for the whole school community.

Mr Stanhope: Mr Speaker, I ask that further questions be placed on the notice paper.

Supplementary answer to question without notice

Canberra—advertising campaign

MR QUINLAN: On 4 March I received a question from Ms Dundas relating to the “see yourself in Canberra” campaign and I happily table a written response. I think a copy has been delivered to Ms Dundas. Thank you.

Personal explanation

MR SMYTH (Leader of the Opposition): Pursuant to standing order 46, I seek leave to make a personal explanation.

MR SPEAKER: Do you claim to have been misrepresented?

MR SMYTH: Yes.

MR SPEAKER: Please proceed.

MR SMYTH: In Question Time Mr Corbell alleged that I called the final spatial plan gobbledegook. I did not. Indeed, I did not ever say that the property council had said that the spatial plan was gobbledegook.

I said that—if he wants to get the full quote, instead of being disingenuous—a report done for the property council about the draft spatial plan was in fact gobbledegook. I refer members to page 7 of a response to the draft Canberra plan done on behalf of Village Building Company and Mirvac Homes in which it states, “While this methodology involves several steps and reads impressively, it appears to be largely

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .