Page 2935 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 12 October 2022
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The budget also provides public school capacity in the inner north, with a $39 million expansion to Majura Primary School. This will see 300 more spaces in the school as well as upgrades to existing classrooms. We are also investing in Gungahlin, with addition funding to complete the expansion of Margaret Hendry School as well as the construction of a new public high school in Taylor, which is due to open in 2024. The new high school in Taylor will offer general and specialist learning areas, small group program areas and a library as well as interactive learning centres. Sport and recreation spaces for students as well as the community will include a double gymnasium, hall and performing arts spaces, as well as hard courts.
This budget also sees $1 million to undertake master planning and preliminary design works for a second college in Gungahlin. Gungahlin College is a hugely popular school for our young people in our city’s north, and I know the community is keen to get on with a second public college to ensure that every family can access an excellent public senior education. Yet again, this government is prioritising education in the budget because we know that it changes lives. And, finally and most importantly, I want to acknowledge and thank our schoolteachers; school principals; school staff; their unions, the CPSU and the Australian Education Unit; as well as our school communities; the P&C Council and individual P&Cs. The last couple of years have been challenging and it has had a long tail, and I wanted to personally thank them and pass on my respect and acknowledgement for the important work that they do in our community. Thank you.
Proposed expenditure agreed to.
Debate interrupted in accordance with standing order 74 and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour.
Sitting suspended from 12.09 to 2.00 pm.
Questions without notice
Budget—convention centre
MS LEE: My question is to the Chief Minister. In their budget submission this year, the National Convention Centre estimated that Canberra is missing out on at least $25 million in direct tourism spend per year because our conference and event facilities are limited. They proposed a $12 million temporary facility to cover some of this shortfall until a new convention centre could be built. Chief Minister, why did the Convention Centre not receive funding for this proposal in the 2022-23 budget?
MR BARR: I thank Ms Lee for the question. The government is pursuing an alternate strategy in relation to increased exhibition and largescale banqueting space.
MS LEE: Chief Minister, have you had discussions about funding for a new convention centre in the ACT with the Albanese federal government and, if so, what was the outcome of those discussions?
MR BARR: I have had discussions in relation to infrastructure priorities with both the former federal government and, in the short time since the new government has taken
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