Page 2601 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 2 July 2008
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
development, most particularly in Gungahlin and the Molonglo Valley, where provision has been made for new non-government schools.
In terms of closed school sites, the government has indicated a policy position that those will not be made available for non-government schools. The rationale for that is that in those areas there is not sufficient student demand. As members would be aware, there are provisions within the education act whereby the education minister must assess levels of demand. The entire rationale—
Mrs Burke: You’ve got the demand there.
MR SPEAKER: Order!
MR BARR: The entire rationale—
Mrs Burke: They’ve put the case to you.
MR SPEAKER: Order!
MR BARR: The entire rationale for the rationalisation of the number of schools in the ACT is most particularly predicated on declining school-age populations.
Mrs Burke: Emmaus have put the case to you. You’re cutting off your nose to spite your face.
MR BARR: In a number of areas of the city, the school-age population has declined dramatically. That is the one of the key factors. It would be a perverse policy position to suggest that, having made the assessment of reduced student demand, you would then seek to open up alternative schools in those areas. The priority for new schools in the ACT is in Gungahlin, and it will be in the future in the Molonglo Valley.
Mrs Burke: Not even if the community demonstrates a need?
MR BARR: Those areas are where there is demand for and growth in the school-age population. If there is anything that those opposite can take out of this entire process it is that proper planning and careful consideration of current and future demands for student enrolments must dictate that new schools in the non-government sector in the ACT be in Gungahlin and Molonglo.
Mrs Burke: Even if you can show a demand outside of those areas. How silly is that!
MR BARR: That is where the student demand is.
Mrs Burke: That is inflexible—
MR SPEAKER: Order, Mrs Burke!
MR BARR: In terms of the registration of additional non-government schools, the government has made it very clear that we have reserved sites as part of the planning process for new non-government schools in those growth areas.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .