Page 3343 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 19 August 2009
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by the independent planning authority and our investments, along with our changes to the planning system, are clearly delivering on the ground in every school in the ACT.
Because of the cuts to red tape I was able to announce that the first BER projects in the country were completed here in Canberra. Under the BER, Turner school received $200,000. Turner has installed a major shade structure, which was manufactured locally in Queanbeyan, supporting local jobs. This project will ensure that all students can play outside rain, hail or shine—again, good for jobs and good for kids. Because of Labor’s policies and our investments the Turner school community will soon have a $3 million new library.
Other projects are completed or underway. For example, in Ms Burch’s electorate, the Caroline Chisholm senior campus has a new technology classroom. In my electorate of Molonglo the students of Malkara also have an upgraded classroom—again, good for jobs and good for kids.
In Ms Porter’s electorate, Hawker College now has a new lift to provide greater access for students with a disability—again, good for jobs and good for kids. Very close to home for me, in the suburb of Dickson the students there have a new gym floor—again, good for jobs and good for kids.
MR SPEAKER: Ms Porter, a supplementary question?
MS PORTER: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Will the minister advise the Assembly of community views of which he is aware in relation to this investment in schools and changes to the planning system?
MR BARR: I am aware of a range of community views about Labor’s investment in schools and Labor’s changes to the planning system. I can report that they are overwhelmingly positive views. But you cannot win them all; it is clear from the rabble we have had in the last five minutes that those opposite oppose Labor’s investments in schools.
Mrs Dunne, the former shadow minister, is famously on the public record as describing investment in public schools as throwing good money after bad. Mr Doszpot, the shadow minister at the moment, has been mute on the subject. I really do not mind if Mr Doszpot follows Mrs Dunne: he has obviously been going to the same hairdresser over the winter break; I just wish that he would stop copying her policies. Mr Doszpot has failed to support federal Labor’s $230 million investment in every student and every school. He has failed to support this significant investment.
With education policy, the Liberals say they like a bit of A to E reporting. What can I say? D is for Doszpot, just like D was for Dunne; nothing has changed—same Steve. It is a different Steve from Brindabella, but still a prat. Mr Seselja in recent times said that the good news in the ACT budget surplus was down to federal Labor’s stimulus package. The opposition leader, on ABC radio on Friday afternoon, in relation to the budget surplus, said:
… much of this appears to be Commonwealth money, the question will be what will happen when the Commonwealth money runs out?
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