Page 2240 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 3 August 2016
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At the time, the discussion I had with those present was that they were particularly interested in having a space for STEM work, having a dedicated STEM space. We had a bit of a chat about that and we agreed that a transportable building would be a great way to deliver that. That is what we have done. I had that direct conversation with the school. I went there; I met them. I talked about what their needs were; they identified that that was the most pressing need that they had, so I have delivered it.
Mr Doszpot may not be satisfied with that, but I am satisfied. I went to the school, I engaged with the relevant stakeholders at the school, and I have delivered the very thing that they said was most of interest to them. I am quite comfortable that better communication with parents about school enrolment pressures is taking place.
There will be other schools that I will need to go and talk to. There will be other communities. The directorate also is talking to people. The school network leaders are talking to the schools. All public school principals have had direct communication with the directorate about their schools’ current and future capacity and been involved in discussions about what strategies and support are available.
I am not sitting idly by as these challenges arise. Canberra’s fastest growing region, Gungahlin, has seen significant population growth, of 44.8 per cent over the past five years, with existing suburbs expanding and new suburbs being developed. In the 2015-16 budget, $28.6 million was allocated to build a new primary school in north Gungahlin ready for the 2019 school year. In addition, the budget that we have just been through, the one that I delivered as the education minister, provided new funding for Amaroo School to have 12 new classrooms to cater for 300 secondary school students; an expanded gym to accommodate increased student capacity and allow for additional community use; and installation of new hard courts. Harrison School will see the installation of eight new classrooms for 200 primary and middle school students. Neville Bonner and Palmerston primary schools will be receiving new and expanded primary and preschool facilities.
I have also provided an extra $250,000 towards the school modernisation program which is increasing the planning capabilities of the directorate to respond to the future needs of public schools.
As I said earlier, the Greens’ position on and concerns about the school closures are well and truly on the record, and I do not shy away from that. We did take a different position. That is something that we do. We take the position that the Greens think is the right position. That said, I will work in the current government to deliver the best outcome for students. In 2016, as the Minister for Education, as a progressive member of a progressive government, I am committed to working with the community and for the community here and now. I am committed to working for the community in the future.
If Mr Doszpot, after my explanation today, still needs further answers to the issues raised in his motion, I recommend that he print out Hansard for today or some of the previous occasions or bookmark the Education website. Things he has talked about here are available. I have been perfectly transparent about providing them. I hope I have answered the questions that Mr Doszpot has and that the other members of the chamber have found those pieces of information useful.
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