Page 2308 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 23 June 2010

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MRS DUNNE: You were heard in silence. He was asked directly by Hall residents what consideration would be given to the fact that if the school closed it would have an adverse impact on businesses in Hall. He said, “I’m the minister for education; I’m not responsible for that,” or words to that effect.

Mr Barr: I think I said: “No. It could not influence my decision.”

MRS DUNNE: No, he made most of the arguments he has made here today. He said: “I’m interested in the educational outcomes. I’m not interested on the impact on business”. I am interested in the impacts on business. This amendment today is the “get Hall, get Tharwa community memorial amendment”. Quite frankly, Mr Barr said that he was not interested in the economic impact on the Hall and Tharwa communities of closing the schools in those communities. I talk to the people in the community, especially the Hall community, about the economic impact that it would have and the ongoing economic impact that it has had in that community.

The Education Act clearly says that, when making decisions about the closing of schools, the minister has to be mindful of the economic impact. It is not how much it costs to educate a child but the economic impact. That economic impact is in no way defined. It is important that, when making a decision about closing a school, one of the things—and this is where I agree with Ms Hunter—you have to take into account is the financial impact on local businesses of that decision.

In large communities the financial impact might be minuscule, but in small communities, isolated communities, the financial impact may be very great. In the case of my electorate—my constituency—in Hall, the impact was very great. As a result of this the Canberra Liberals will be opposing Mr Barr’s amendment today.

Amendment negatived.

Proposed new clause 8, as amended, agreed to.

Title agreed to.

Question put:

That this bill, as amended, be agreed to.

The Assembly voted—

Question so resolved in the affirmative.

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