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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 7 Hansard (24 June) . . Page.. 1971 ..

MS McRAE: I have just asked the question, and you interrupted, Mr Kaine. I will now ask the question again.

Mr Kaine: It has taken you five minutes already and you have not got to it.

MS McRAE: If people did not interrupt, I would not take so long, Mr Kaine.

Mr Kaine: Get on with the question.

MS McRAE: Try not interrupting, and then maybe I will go ahead. What have you done to assure the users and the managers of the Dickson pool that a recommendation that is being made in favour of a rival pool will not be followed through? What have you actually gone out and told them?

MR STEFANIAK: Lots, actually. I have certainly told them that there will be this $130,000 upgrade, which - I repeat, Ms McRae - is due for completion prior to the summer season 1997-98. Also, Ms McRae, let me say this to anyone who is concerned: There have been a couple of people who have written in because they enjoy using the facility. I have been there myself. It is a lovely facility, Ms McRae. The current contractor has a contract until 30 June 2002, with an option to extend for a further five years after that. In this world, that is pretty well about as long term as you can get, in terms of seeing into the future - and I have told that to people who have any concerns as a result of suggestions made in that report. It would be about three or four more terms of a Liberal government, Ms McRae. So, I think, really, that shows a substantial commitment by this Government to this excellent facility.

MS TUCKER: My question is to the Minister for Education, Mr Stefaniak. Minister, last year the Government announced in the budget that it would be establishing a fund of $1.2m to be targeted specifically at expanding literacy and numeracy programs in schools. I understand that the interest from this fund - about $90,000 annually - was to be used to enhance literacy programs in schools. Can you inform the Assembly how this money has been used in the past financial year?

MR STEFANIAK: I thank the member for the question. As she states, the previous year's budget provided $1.2m to be invested to generate income each year to fund literacy and numeracy initiatives. This, of course, is another initiative by this Government for the development of literacy and numeracy skills in primary schools and also in high schools. Ms Tucker, there is a reference group, which comprises representatives of parents, school boards, principals, teachers and universities, advising the Government on the most appropriate use of these funds. The reference group sought, and was granted, an extension of time to consider the use of the funds. I expect to receive the report from the reference group very shortly indeed.

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