Page 1916 - Week 06 - Thursday, 2 May 1991

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see set in place. As part of that contract, the Government will allow an interim licence to operate a casino at some agreed location and until such time as the permanent location is in place. It is quite clear that such a simple concept is beyond Mr Berry. He is shaking his head; he does not understand it. It is a very simple process.

The Government's intention is quite clear cut. I can assure the Leader of the Opposition that the Government is quite capable of negotiating a contract for a long-term site for a casino with an interim arrangement for a casino to operate somewhere else, and that that casino will be in operation in order to capture our share of the market ahead of anything that New South Wales or Victoria might do.

School-based Management

MS MAHER: My question is to the Minister for Health, Education and the Arts. Minister, a timetable for the implementation of school-based management was outlined in an article in the Canberra Times on Saturday, 16 March. Is school-based management a priority of this Government, and how will the program be implemented?

MR HUMPHRIES: I thank Ms Maher for that question. In the context of micro-economic reform, school-based management is an important initiative of the ACT Government and, in particular, for my ministry.

Mr Wood: Further school-based management.

MR HUMPHRIES: Further school-based management - I would accept that. It is intended to further devolve resources to schools and colleges over the next three years, commencing in this coming financial year. In the 1991-92 financial year, devolution of significant non-salary budgets will occur in as many schools as possible. These non-salary budgets will include heating, minor new works, computer lines, lighting, minor maintenance, fire brigade, telephones, school security and pest control. Negotiations are continuing in relation to cleaning, grounds maintenance, furniture and community use of facilities. It is our intention to devolve these as much as possible in the future, although the exact amount cannot be determined at this stage.

Currently, some aspects of staffing are being devolved to schools. One example is school-based management of relief staffing. Negotiations are continuing with a view to broadening the delegation of staffing responsibilities to include supplementary resources as from 1992-93. This is a process which is difficult, Mr Speaker, which is why the Government is taking a longer rather than a shorter period of time over it. I am confident, however, that the enthusiasm of many schools to take up the opportunities of school-based management will see that the program overall is a success.


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