Page 363 - Week 01 - Thursday, 16 February 2012
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matters of public importance be submitted to the Assembly. In accordance with standing order 79, Mr Speaker has determined that the matter proposed by Mr Hargreaves be submitted to the Assembly, namely:
The importance of making and supporting quality and timely investments in school infrastructure in the ACT.
MR HARGREAVES (Brindabella) (3.54): It is not often you win the lottery, but I have done it this time. Madam Assistant Speaker, I rise to speak on this very important topic of the need to make and support quality and timely investments in school infrastructure. Last year every one of Canberra’s public schools received an upgrade. Last year this Labor government delivered capital works worth over $187 million to our public schools and has committed to another $150 million worth of new initiatives this year. That is about $337 million over two years for our kids. More than $330 million just so the kids have a fantastic tomorrow.
Over the last six years Labor delivered capital investments in ACT public schools worth over a half a billion dollars. First up, we are looking after the most important asset of any school, and that is the teachers. Staff facilities have been upgraded to continue to ensure that we look after our teachers by providing proper communal areas and the appropriate workspaces to undertake crucial out-of-class activities.
So as to continue to meet the demand generated by increasing enrolments, new facilities have been built and existing infrastructure has been upgraded. Our public schools have received everything from new classroom fit-outs to new libraries, new computer labs, meeting rooms and, of course, new toilets. In the playground we have also made sure students remain sun smart with more shade sails and covered outdoor play areas. And during our wet and windy winters they are also a great sheltered area for students to play under.
We are also continuing to roll out security fencing at identified schools. As a result we have already seen vandalism drop away considerably. With upgraded school security alarm systems to prevent unauthorised entry, Labor is committed to protecting students and teachers. With the rise of dormitory suburbs and busy commuter parents, our schools are working with TAMS to manage traffic issues around those schools. Through car park and entrance upgrades the government is tackling traffic congestion, lessening the risk of students and teachers being injured and helping busy parents drop off students easily.
Under the $28 million smart schools initiative the ACT government committed us to state-of-the-art upgrades in ICT in all our public schools. This sort of stuff has blown me out of the water.
I went to Richardson primary school some years ago to find that they were the first school to have one of those smart screen things. The students there, primary schoolers, little tackers, were showing me all about the surface of the moon by dragging things on the computer across the screen. I paused to remind myself what happened when I was in primary school. I had to graduate from using a pencil to learning how to write with a dip pen—dip it in the ink. Indeed, I had to go and mix the actual ink itself and
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