Mr TOYNE - 1997-02-26
On 28 June 1994, the minister announced the establishment of what is now called Training Network NT. In his media release, he promised that this network would give all Territorians improved access to vocational education and training. Some 12 months later, the minister was still promising great things from this network in his self-styled `vision speech' of 1995.
Mr Stone: Mr Speaker, I am sorry. We cannot hear the member for Stuart.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! Would the member for Stuart please speak as loudly as he can.
Mr TOYNE: Can the minister confirm that, by December 1996, Training Network NT had become so unfinancial that it froze its operational accounts, leaving many creditors unpaid?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I cannot confirm that at all. While some budgetary matters created short-term difficulties for the network, these have now been resolved. They were related to shifts of budgets between departments. I am not aware of any creditor being disadvantaged. None has been brought to my attention.
I take the opportunity to acknowledge NTETA and the excellent work it is doing with the network, now outreaching into almost every remote community. In places such as Jabiru and Nhulunbuy, excellent partnerships are being developed with the communities and with industry in some cases. I think some great work is being done there. I am a little amused by the continuing negative approach of the new shadow spokesman for education, a cracked record indeed.
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Mr Stone: Mr Speaker, I am sorry. We cannot hear the member for Stuart.
Mr SPEAKER: Order! Would the member for Stuart please speak as loudly as he can.
Mr TOYNE: Can the minister confirm that, by December 1996, Training Network NT had become so unfinancial that it froze its operational accounts, leaving many creditors unpaid?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I cannot confirm that at all. While some budgetary matters created short-term difficulties for the network, these have now been resolved. They were related to shifts of budgets between departments. I am not aware of any creditor being disadvantaged. None has been brought to my attention.
I take the opportunity to acknowledge NTETA and the excellent work it is doing with the network, now outreaching into almost every remote community. In places such as Jabiru and Nhulunbuy, excellent partnerships are being developed with the communities and with industry in some cases. I think some great work is being done there. I am a little amused by the continuing negative approach of the new shadow spokesman for education, a cracked record indeed.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016