Page 3886 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 23 October 1990
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
The Government's decisions on the reshaping of the school system are based on present demographic and financial imperatives rather than on luring immigrants to Canberra with the provision of generous amenities which we can no longer afford. Planning issues have not been ignored. They are at the centre of the project to reshape ACT public schooling so that resources can be devoted to maintaining and enhancing the quality of education rather than maintaining surplus building space.
School Closures - Inquiry
MR WOOD: I direct a question to the Minister for Education. Mr Humphries, under its terms of reference does the Hudson inquiry have authority to recommend the closure of other schools in place of any of those that you have named?
MR HUMPHRIES: I do not have before me a copy of the terms of reference that were given to the Hudson inquiry. I would have to say that I very much doubt whether that would be within the terms of reference of that inquiry. Whether that kind of information would be forthcoming is pure speculation, and I again regret the fact that the ALP continues to spearhead this kind of divisive and unsettling speculation which is, I think, ultimately designed to scuttle whatever recommendations come forward from Mr Hudson's inquiry.
I obviously cannot exclude Mr Hudson from saying anything at all in his final report, but I would think it unlikely that there would be recommendations concerning the closure of other schools, at least in the case of naming particular schools.
MR WOOD: I have a supplementary question, Mr Speaker. I thank the Minister for that answer and I would press the point, referring him to the situation of Scullin and Page where Page quite unexpectedly became a school to be closed. Would you make a clear statement that no school, for example, North Ainslie school, will be closed as a result of the machinations of the current inquiry?
MR HUMPHRIES: This is a variation on an earlier question I have been asked before. Can I guarantee this? Can I guarantee that? I have made it quite clear that I am not going to guarantee anything in respect of these changes, any more than I could say that I could guarantee any of the other questions on which assurances have been sought in the past. It is not the Government's intention to depart from the plan that is already laid down; but, of course, it will await the outcome of the Hudson report, as I urge you to do.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .