Page 852 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 2 April 2008
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quantity or quality? For the people of north Tuggeranong in particular, do we need and was it viable to have five schools operating at less than 40 per cent capacity, with nearly 60 per cent bypass, as 60 per cent of the local community in Kambah was bypassing the high school and the primary schools? Was it viable to have five schools so small that they are not able to offer a full educational program and do not have the facilities and resources? That is the opposition’s preferred model—just let it sit there and rot.
This government would not accept that. That is why we have invested $54 million in a new education facility for north Tuggeranong. That is why we are investing money in west Belconnen. We believe that those communities deserve the best in public education, the best infrastructure, the highest quality teachers and their fair share of education resources. The challenge that any education minister or any government faces across a system as diverse as ours is: how do you fairly allocate resources?
The changes that we have made have been around investing in quality and investing in those areas that have been suffering educational disadvantage and in providing them with world-class education facilities. It is no wonder that the Tories, the toffs, the high end of town, sitting over there—that lot—reject this investment in public education in west Belconnen and Tuggeranong. It goes against their core philosophical beliefs.
Opposition members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order! Members of the opposition will cease interjecting. A supplementary question, Mrs Burke.
MRS BURKE: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Minister, what guarantees can you give to the most disadvantaged families that they will be no worse off financially under your school closure regime?
MR BARR: I thank Mrs Burke for her question and the opportunity to continue on this theme. This government is investing in key areas of educational disadvantage, most particularly, as I have already highlighted in this place in this morning’s debate, additional support for Indigenous students, additional support for student welfare and pastoral care, additional support for—
Opposition members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order! Stop the clock, please. Members of the opposition will cease interjecting. Start the clock. Mr Barr.
MR BARR: Thank you, Mr Speaker. I know those opposite cannot bear to hear this. This government is investing in quality and investing in opportunity.
Mrs Burke: The community can’t bear to hear what you’re doing.
MR BARR: That means having to take difficult decisions. It means prioritising resources. Anyone who has an objective look at where the ACT education system was
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