Page 485 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 28 June 1989
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QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
Schools Office
MR MOORE: My question is to the Minister for Industry, Employment and Education. In relation to the public statement made by the Minister on 22 June attempting to justify spending in the ACT Schools Office by claiming that administrative salary costs compared favourably with those in smaller Australian States, what figures detailing salaries in the Tasmanian education department were obtained by the ACT Schools Office and shown to the Minister to allow him to be confident of his claim that the ACT compared favourably with Tasmania?
MR WHALAN: This question, Mr Speaker, is one which I propose to suggest that the Government refer to the Standing Committee on Social Policy so that there can be an examination by that committee of the relative levels of administrative expenditure in the ACT and other parts of Australia. Inevitably some distortions can arise in considering matters of this sort, and it is my view that there could be some benefit in appreciating the real figures if the committee examines that.
So, if it is approved by the Government, we will refer it to the committee, and there will then be an opportunity for the committee and subsequently the Assembly to examine this issue. It is of concern to the Government. We do not take lightly issues such as this because they are very important in determining budget priorities. We hope to be able to do that next week.
Public Housing
MR WOOD: Let us continue our search for accuracy in data. I pose a question to the Minister for Housing and Urban Services. Has she seen the article in today's Canberra Times in which some members of this Assembly, not Government members, suggest that the Government use the ACT Housing Trust to refinance home loans for struggling house buyers? Can the Minister comment on how realistic or practical those comments in the press were?
MRS GRASSBY: As the Residents Rally policy statement on housing, which I read today after seeing that article in the paper, notes, the ACT Housing Trust currently assists people experiencing hardship in meeting loan repayments, either by refinancing under the Commissioner for Housing loans system or by providing short term assistance under the mortgage relief scheme. Funds which the Housing Trust currently has invested in short term money are not immediately required. This is invested in earning funds for later use.
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