Page 3229 - Week 11 - Thursday, 13 September 1990
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certain people or should conduct all of his or her hearings in public. It is entirely up to the person conducting that inquiry and I do not propose to say what it is that that person has to do and the way the person has to do it.
Preschool Task Force Report
MRS NOLAN: My question is also to Mr Humphries in his capacity as Minister for Education. In the implementation of the Preschool Task Force report, does the Government intend to sell vacant preschool sites?
MR HUMPHRIES: I thank Mrs Nolan for her question. The Government is giving detailed consideration to the recommendations of the Preschool Task Force report, about which there has been considerable discussion in the last few days in the Assembly. I know some opposite have a different view, but I maintain it is a very good report; it is a very sound and judicious assessment of the issues that face the preschool sector in the ACT. It is a sector which has not been free of difficulties in respect of the way in which its future should be determined, given that the previous Government made some attempt to close preschools. I think it is appropriate in this chamber to recognise that there are difficult choices to be made, and we are going to ensure adequate resources to maintain the quality of the preschool sector.
The report that Mrs Nolan has referred to recommends that alternative models for service delivery should be trialled in 1991. This could well mean that a number of preschool programs will be relocated to other settings. For example, preschool services could be provided in fully operational units based on the priority enrolment areas of relevant high schools. It would be irresponsible if the school system were to continue to meet the maintenance costs for facilities not being used for education programs. Options for alternative uses of vacant sites on a full cost recovery basis are being explored. The sale of vacant sites will also be considered in that context. Evaluation of new models, of course, will focus on the outcomes of the education programs. Finally, I want to say that I think the Canberra Pre-School Society has been extremely responsible in the way in which it has taken part in this process, not only in drawing up the report, but also in implementing it.
School Closures - Inquiry
MR BERRY: My question is directed to the Minister for Education, Mr Humphries. Has the Government imposed a moratorium on action towards school closures while the school closures inquiry is proceeding?
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