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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 03 Hansard (Thursday, 11 March 2004) . . Page.. 1080 ..

Canberra. There is no doubt that the breadth and the expansion of degrees available in Canberra will attract more young people to the city and will add to the vibrancy of our community. Around half of the 440 places available under the new courses are expected to attract international students. That is particularly important because in 2002-03 education exports were worth around $114 million to the ACT economy.

Mrs Dunne: I take a point of order. Under standing order 117 (e) (ii), the minister cannot answer this question because it relates to proceedings of a committee not reported to the Assembly. The appropriation bill this morning was referred to a committee and it has become the responsibility of the committee.

Mr Hargreaves: It is in the Canberra Times.

Mrs Dunne: It does not matter whether it is in the Canberra Times as the Canberra Times is not subject to the standing orders. The grant is provided for in the appropriation bill and it is being investigated by the committee.

MR SPEAKER: Did you mention the appropriation bill in your question, Ms MacDonald?

Ms MacDonald: No, I did not, Mr Speaker.

MR SPEAKER: I think it is the question that you are trying to refer to, Mrs Dunne.

Mrs Dunne: But it does refer to the amount of money in the appropriation bill and in the presentation speech on the appropriation bill. It refers to $10 million to provide a grant for funding consultation to the school of health sciences. It is in the appropriation bill.

MR SPEAKER: Take a look at standing order 117 (f), which provides that questions can be asked to elicit information in relation to business pending on the notice paper. Ministers can answer them in accordance with standing order 118. The minister may continue.

MR CORBELL: They just do not like it, Mr Speaker. They just do not like it that after the comprehensive engagement of the people of Canberra by this government through the development plan we are now putting Canberrans’ words into action. I challenge them to go to the University of Canberra and criticise the $10 million grant. Go and talk to Roger Deane, the vice-chancellor, and go and talk to Mohamed Khadra, the head of the faculty there, and tell them that this a poor idea, a waste of time and they do not know what they are doing.

Opposition members interjecting—

MR CORBELL: They just do not like it, Mr Speaker. Of course, this helps give Canberra the competitive edge. It helps support our educational institutions. It is well worth making the point that for every international student that comes to the ACT an average of 4.5 visitations occur, a very significant contribution to the ACT economy.

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