Page 896 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 16 March 2010
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I think we would all be very supportive of that.
It is a very important part of our education system. I think it does need to be said, though, that the Catholic Education Office, through the Catholic Education Commission, have put forward a budget submission, as most of the independent groups do. At this stage the Catholic system still receives the lowest level of funding support from any government in the country. They are very grateful for the support that they get but I note in the submission to the ACT 2009-10 budget—I have not seen the submission to this year’s budget—they do put to the government and the minister a number of gentle reminders under a heading “ACT Government Budget Commitments”:
The Stanhope Government is reminded of the following commitments to non-government schools made in the lead up to the 2008 ACT Election:
An additional $4.1m over four years will be invested in Catholic and low fee non-government schools to provide more support for students—
Mr Barr: It was in last year’s budget.
MR SMYTH: If you would let me finish—be patient; you jumped too early, Minister Barr.
Mr Barr: Okay. You are going to say nice things about me. Sorry; you will have to forgive my—
MR SMYTH: You jumped too early, Mr Barr, as so often you do. I will not steal your thunder, but it is important to put these on the record:
An additional $4.1m over four years will be invested in Catholic and low fee non-government schools to provide more support for students with a disability, from disadvantaged backgrounds and for those performing below national standards.
Funding of $2.5m over the next three years as information technology grants for Catholic and non-government primary schools.
A one-off $15,000 grant to each parent group or association to be spent on school-based projects.
Access to teachers for the proposed INSPIRE and NCL&L Centres.
Remember that this is last year’s submission. It goes on to say:
The CEC recognises that all governments are facing trying financial times but a high quality, well-funded education system, government and non-government, is considered vital for the long term benefit of our country. It asks the Stanhope Government in the 2009/10 Budget to …
I will leave it to the minister. He can detail which have been achieved and which are coming this year. I am sure he would love to tell us which will be completed, particularly in the coming year. It asks the government to:
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