Page 608 - Week 02 - Thursday, 21 February 1991
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HUDSON REPORT
Ministerial Statement
MR HUMPHRIES (Minister for Health, Education and the Arts), by leave: Mr Speaker, there was a request from Mr Wood last year for a formal response to the Hudson report and, particularly to satisfy Mr Wood, I now make such a response. On 31 July last year the ACT Government announced its intention to close seven primary schools, amalgamate two high schools and secure certain other savings through "twinning" three groups of schools. There was strong community reaction from those who opposed the policy on schools reshaping.
It was claimed that the economic and social consequences for the community as a whole were so adverse that a cost-benefit analysis would demonstrate a net negative impact. Consequently, the ministry appointed Mr Hugh Hudson, a former chairman of the Commonwealth Tertiary Education Commission and former South Australian Minister for Education and Deputy Premier, to undertake an independent assessment of the schools closure program. Mr Hudson set out to examine the expenditure and savings involved in the school closure program and the social and economic implications arising from it.
Mr Hudson, in conducting the inquiry, received a total of 44 written submissions, visited schools, met with many of the groups who had prepared submissions and with other interest groups and individuals, and carried out an extensive process of consultation and research. The Hudson report was released on 14 November. The report indicated that Mr Hudson and his team had carried out an extensive examination of the school closures according to the agreed terms of reference.
The Hudson report concluded that, even after a $430,000 "downward adjustment", the original proposed closures and amalgamations would have saved nearly $2.6m a year. Mr Hudson presented three options as alternatives to the Government's initial school closures proposal - that is, option A. Option B involved finding the requisite savings through cutting the employment of people who work in the education area. The majority of these cuts would have to include teachers, approximately 100 in number. Option C involved a long-term policy for closure of smaller schools under strict criteria and revised staff formulae for smaller schools to produce savings. Cook, Hackett, Holder and Lyons primary schools would close, with Higgins, Rivett and Weetangera remaining open. Holder and Weston Creek high schools would be amalgamated. Option D is basically the same as option C, with discussion about closing any one or two of Weetangera, Rivett and Higgins, with resultant savings dependent on which were chosen for closure.
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