Page 4172 - Week 13 - Thursday, 14 December 2006
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It is the case also that the number of staffing positions that would be lost is now less as there are more schools that are open. It will be in the order of between five and 10 positions, I understand.
MRS BURKE: I ask a supplementary question. Minister, given your answer, then, have you abandoned all pretence of Towards 2020 being a cost cutting measure?
MR BARR: Towards 2020 was never a cost cutting measure. It was a measure in terms of reinvesting money in public education and reducing recurrent expenditure.
Opposition members interjecting—
MR BARR: It was aimed at reducing recurrent expenditure in order to plough that money, and a considerable amount more in capital investment, back into our education system. I know that those opposite—there are countless examples and Mrs Dunne is the best, of course—decry any investment in public education. All the time we get the cry that it is good money after bad. What was it she had to say about the investment in Tuggeranong—is this a thoughtless bribe? A $54 million new school for Tuggeranong, according to Mrs Dunne, is a thoughtless bribe.
Mr Pratt and Mr Smyth, members for Brindabella, do you believe a $54 million new school for your electorate is a thoughtless bribe? Do you? If so, put out a press release in support of Mrs Dunne. Do you believe that? Do those opposite seriously believe that a $54 million investment in a state-of-the-art education facility for Tuggeranong is a thoughtless bribe?
Mr Pratt: I do not.
MR BARR: It is here on the record from Mrs Dunne in a press release dated Wednesday, 13 December. It states:
Investment in education is a good thing, but a thoughtless bribe.
A $54 million new school for Kambah is a thoughtless bribe. That is what she said—it is a thoughtless bribe.
Mr Pratt: Bring on the bribes.
MR BARR: Yes. The question is: do the local Liberal Party members in that electorate believe that that investment is a thoughtless bribe? That is the question. They are silent, Mr Speaker.
Mr Pratt: No, we are tickled pink.
MR BARR: I certainly look forward to the support of Mr Smyth and Mr Pratt as the government delivers this $54 million new education facility for the people of Tuggeranong.
Mr Pratt: I would rather see the set of schools that are there remain there, actually.
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