Page 1818 - Week 05 - Thursday, 16 May 2019
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
MS LAWDER: Minister, what actions have you taken to review network 19 to ensure that it meets the needs of the elderly, mobility impaired and people with disability in our community?
MS FITZHARRIS: Significant work has been undertaken on designing the new network, including with a range of different stakeholder groups which represent many people right across our community. There is also a special bus service that services children with a disability right across our school system as well as the flexible transport system.
Schools—vandalism
MS LEE: My question is to the Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development. Minister, over several weekends in recent times, at least two inner north primary schools have been subject to extensive damage caused by repeated vandalism using heavy blocks and other materials. Given that the attacks usually occur on a Saturday night, what efforts have been made by your directorate to increase surveillance of the schools and to apprehend the perpetrators?
MS BERRY: I will need to take that question on notice and get some advice on those particular schools. Of course, the ACT Education Directorate works very closely with school communities around vandalism in schools and how that is addressed and how the community can be involved in making sure that our schools are safe places and are not vandalised, so that young people can go to school and teachers can do their jobs in a place that has been vandalised. If there is significant damage done, the Education Directorate will always go in very quickly and support the schools to resolve any issues that have arisen out of vandalism.
MS LEE: The minister may need to take this one on notice as well. What is the financial cost to the ACT government of vandalism in our government schools?
MS BERRY: There is some insurance coverage around vandalism in schools but, again, I will have to take the detail on notice. If that information is available, I will provide it to the Assembly.
MISS C BURCH: Minister, to what extent have these attacks disrupted classes and activities and undermined the safety of these school communities?
MS BERRY: Depending on the nature of the vandalism and whether it has been significant or not, it would depend on the individual school. Yes, there would be some disruptions but school communities are very well supported by the Education Directorate, should that be required, to ensure that education can continue as normally as possible, taking into account that there has been some disruption to schools.
Visitors
MADAM SPEAKER: Before I call Ms Orr for the next question without notice, members I draw to your attention a very good crowd in the gallery. I welcome to the
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video