Page 2075 - Week 07 - Thursday, 4 June 2015
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MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Doszpot.
MR DOSZPOT: Minister, why has the government neglected three areas of pine plantation that are now a fire risk?
MR CORBELL: Those matters are the responsibility of the Territory and Municipal Services Directorate.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Doszpot.
MR DOSZPOT: Minister, what is the level of risk currently of a series of events causing a catastrophic failure of the lower Cotter catchment?
MR CORBELL: The likelihood of such an event occurring is different from the consequences of such an event. The Auditor-General is right to identify that the consequences of a catastrophic failure are indeed very serious. That is why the government has made the commitment to improving the capacity of the catchment in relation to the issues identified in her report. But the likelihood of the event is not necessarily correlated with the consequences of that event, and I am confident that we have a broad range of strategies and mechanisms in place to continue to ensure that the likelihood of such an event is at the lower end of the scale.
Budget—education
DR BOURKE: My question is to the Minister for Education and Training. Minister, the Chief Minister and Treasurer announced on Tuesday a record $1.1 billion education budget for the ACT. How will this unprecedented investment in education be used to support schools and ensure all ACT school students get the very best possible outcomes? In particular, how will the $18 million announced for Belconnen high deliver on ACT Labor’s election commitment and improve outcomes at the school?
MS BURCH: I thank Dr Bourke for his question and recognise his particular interest in Belconnen High School, being in his electorate. Dr Bourke is quite right to point out that this is a record education budget for the ACT. This is an ACT Labor government budget, a budget that will drive social change, deliver better services for our community and ensure that Canberra remains the best city in the world. That is why we have once again delivered a funding increase to education: because we know that having a well-educated, skilled and trained population leads to happier, healthier, better employed and more productive people.
Education is the key to unravelling social disadvantage. It is the key to changing lives. That is why I am very pleased to be the education minister in this Barr Labor government and to be standing in this Assembly delivering the largest investment in education in the ACT’s history.
The $1.1 billion that we will invest in the next 12 months will deliver a better curriculum, better ICT, new schools, improved training and professional development
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