Page 2184 - Week 07 - Thursday, 7 August 2014
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MR DOSZPOT: Minister, how frequently and at what level are maintenance audits undertaken in ACT public schools?
MS BURCH: The Education and Training Directorate and the school leadership give maintenance a very high priority. There is a maintenance schedule for schools that is managed through the capital works team, about what is routine maintenance. Then, as maintenance is needed in any school—we have 40,000-plus children in our schools—that is responded to. Make no mistake: the safety of our students and teachers is a priority, and we respond as necessary.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Wall.
MR WALL: Minister, what additional resources have been allocated to manage maintenance issues in our older schools, given their ageing profile?
MS BURCH: They are considered on an annual basis around priority for our routine forward plan on maintenance. Certainly with our older schools, we have schools from a number of months old right through to 90 years old. With Canberra high, I was there celebrating their 75th year as a school, though not necessarily on site. It is something that we are aware of, and we certainly get the life, as much as we can, out of our schools. Down south, for example, I know that Gilmore has had some upgrades; Calwell high has had some upgrades. We have a very strong maintenance plan, in short, and we support our schools to make sure they have a positive learning environment.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Wall.
MR WALL: Minister, what safety alarm systems are fitted in ACT schools to detect things such as gas leaks?
MS BURCH: They would have alarm systems that meet the Australian standards and that are relevant to the built form in which they are placed.
ACT Corrective Services—enterprise agreement
MR WALL: My question is to the Minister for Corrective Services. Minister, an updated enterprise agreement for corrections officers and employees is currently being negotiated. Would you provide an update on how these negotiations are progressing?
MR RATTENBURY: Yes, I am happy to provide an update. The negotiations are continuing between the unions involved, particularly the CPSU, and ACT Corrective Services. I think it would be fair to say that the Corrective Services enterprise agreement got off to a later start than some of the other ones. That work is ongoing. My latest briefing was that most of the matters have been resolved but there are a couple of outstanding issues. I hope that we will see that concluded shortly.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Wall.
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