Page 863 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 27 March 1990

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MR BERRY: I have a supplementary question. Is it true, therefore, that the Government at this stage has no such legislation in the pipeline and therefore the Minister has misled this Assembly.

MR KAINE: The answer, Mr Speaker, is no.

Neighbourhood Schools

MR WOOD: Mr Speaker, I direct a question to the Minister for Health, Education and the Arts concerning the schools. Is he committed to the neighbourhood school concept?

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, it is no secret that the Government is examining a number of options in respect of the education budget, as it is examining options in respect of all aspects of the present ACT budget. Until that process has resolved itself and given us a final outcome which will allow the Government to address the budget problem - which the Chief Minister has alluded to on many occasions - I cannot pre-empt any particular line of attack on that problem. I cannot identify any particular way in which the Government might attack the problem of overfunding as identified by the Commonwealth Grants Commission. I therefore will not commit myself to any particular aspect of the system until that review is completed. I think that the members should wait until Thursday when the Chief Minister makes his announcement.

MR WOOD: I have a supplementary question, Mr Speaker. The Labor Government gave a commitment to close no schools in the term of this parliament. Are you saying you are not prepared to make that commitment?

MR HUMPHRIES: Mr Speaker, I have indicated already that the Chief Minister is going to make an announcement on Thursday of this week concerning budgetary matters, and I think it would be inappropriate for me to make that announcement ahead of him. It is his prerogative and he will make that announcement. I suggest the member have patience until that time. I am not required by standing orders to announce government policy in advance of its formal announcement, and that will be the case in this situation.

NATIONAL EXHIBITION CENTRE TRUST

Report 1988-89

MR COLLAERY (Deputy Chief Minister): Mr Speaker, I table for the information of members:

Audit Act - National Exhibition Centre Trust - Report 1988-89.


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