Page 3873 - Week 09 - Thursday, 25 August 2011
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being modelled and costed. To do this work I have established a government steering group to consider how options would be implemented. This group will make a final recommendation to government later this year.
The steering group is made up of representatives of the directorates of Chief Minister and Cabinet, Treasury, Economic Development, and Education and Training. It will also draw on other government agencies as needed to complete its task. Importantly, this group will consult in detail with the management of the University of Canberra and the CIT, representatives of unions and student representatives as well as other stakeholders. It will also seek comment from the community.
Education and government experts have looked and continue to look at these proposals in detail. They will report back to the government soon. The group’s findings will be made public by the government. As such, Mr Doszpot’s proposal to send all of these matters to a committee at this point is a needless waste of time. It is a waste of time not driven by the desire to get a good educational or economic outcome for the territory. I think it is in fact a reflection of the need for the shadow minister to catch up on a number of these issues.
The government has always been happy to release the final modelling done by the working group when it is completed. This will include a detailed financial analysis of all of Professor Bradley’s recommendations, and we are happy to continue to provide briefings to members on the modelling of the various options when completed.
Mr Doszpot: I asked you two weeks ago, Mr Barr, why aren’t you happy to—
MR BARR: I am aware of that, Mr Doszpot.
Mr Doszpot: Why aren’t you happy to provide me with that information?
MR BARR: I will provide you with that information, Mr Doszpot.
Mr Doszpot: When?
MR BARR: Once the work on the various models has been completed. We are part way through a process, Mr Doszpot. You have chosen to ignore it over a number of years now, and you come in this morning feigning indignation because you have been too lazy to do this work.
The government’s view is that the appropriate time to consider this matter before the Assembly committee is when the modelling is complete and when legislation is to be considered by this place. That is why I and the government will be supporting the amendments that Ms Hunter will be moving. I congratulate the ACT Greens for having the sense to allow this process to proceed with a view to getting better outcomes for students, employers and the broader community. I look forward to this debate continuing.
It is clear that we need to get the opposition spokesperson up to speed on a number of these issues. Whilst you were out of the chamber, Mr Doszpot, I did indicate that we are happy to provide further briefings for you. I think it would be in your interest to
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