Mr BALDWIN - 1997-04-29
In light of the fact that computer technology is moving very rapidly these days, how will the Territory government implement the latest technology in our schools?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I am castigated occasionally by members opposite for my current non-utilisation of computer technology. I do not need a computer to tell me what issues are important to my constituents. I do not need a computer to write my policies for me. I do not need a computer to organise speeches. The member for Wanguri may chortle but, when he was in nappies in the mid-1960s, I was enrolled at the University of New South Wales in engineering studies, writing computer programs for mathematical solutions. In fact, some 20 years ago, the company in which I was a partner was the first to use computer technology for road design and documentation. I have always adopted the attitude that, if we are to have computers installed in our workplaces or elsewhere, they must be there for a positive benefit,
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not to be used as a toy. In fact, I took many a decision based purely on commercial considerations. Would I be better off with a computer drafting facility and 2 operators, or with 6 draftsmen? It is a pretty simple equation. We can all become a little carried away over computer technology at times, but I think I have come from a fairly healthy background of knowing what is appropriate or not.
I am pleased to say that this government has been at the forefront of computerisation of the public sector as compared with the rest of Australia. Some of the systems in the Department of Education date back 15 to 20 years.
Mr Bailey: And are still there.
Mr FINCH: Exactly. Some of them are still there and are out of date. Members will know from personal experience that there is a ratio of 1 computer to 10 students in our schools. The rest of the country cannot come anywhere near that. However, only about 50% of the computers are modern equipment.
Mr Toyne: Who paid for them?
Mr FINCH: A small proportion were paid for by the Commonwealth. Much of the rest of the funding was the result of this government's generous computer policies over the years.
Mr Coulter: What about computers from Coles?
Mr FINCH: Yes, I am also well aware of some very innovative programs through which schools have acquired computers through corporate sponsorships. The government's $1-for-$1 policy has led to the high number of computers we now have in our schools. Virtually all of our schools have access to CD-ROM and a growing number are now linked to the Internet, with many having their own home page. We have, and have had for many years, a policy of progressing computer access for our students, for our teachers and for our administrators. We would not now have the problem of 15-year-old computers if, 15 years ago, we had not been at the forefront in putting computer systems into our schools. Let us have no nonsense from members opposite. This government has been responsible and effective.
There is obvious scope for upgrading the system and some $0.75m will be spent over the next year on planning and designing a computer system for the Department of Education. This will involve an evaluation of personal computer networking access for students, teachers and school administrators with the central education system and the Territory government network. This will enable our schools, our classrooms and all the sections of the department to have compatible systems linked to common networks. For that $0.75m, we will have designed an up-to-date computer system to service our schools and all those extra operators in the education system.
We have been spending considerable money on computer systems over recent years, at 2 schools in particular. One, installed at Woodroffe 2 years ago, was at that time state-of-the-art. Recently, the doors opened at Bees Creek Primary School which must be the
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most modern, well-equipped and technologically advanced school in Australia. I say to honourable members opposite that, instead of locking themselves into their own computers, they should take a broader view. They should note what is happening in schools in their own electorates and acknowledge the great work that the Country Liberal Party administration has been doing, and will continue to do, with computer technology for our young people.
Page 2077
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I am castigated occasionally by members opposite for my current non-utilisation of computer technology. I do not need a computer to tell me what issues are important to my constituents. I do not need a computer to write my policies for me. I do not need a computer to organise speeches. The member for Wanguri may chortle but, when he was in nappies in the mid-1960s, I was enrolled at the University of New South Wales in engineering studies, writing computer programs for mathematical solutions. In fact, some 20 years ago, the company in which I was a partner was the first to use computer technology for road design and documentation. I have always adopted the attitude that, if we are to have computers installed in our workplaces or elsewhere, they must be there for a positive benefit,
Page 2075
not to be used as a toy. In fact, I took many a decision based purely on commercial considerations. Would I be better off with a computer drafting facility and 2 operators, or with 6 draftsmen? It is a pretty simple equation. We can all become a little carried away over computer technology at times, but I think I have come from a fairly healthy background of knowing what is appropriate or not.
I am pleased to say that this government has been at the forefront of computerisation of the public sector as compared with the rest of Australia. Some of the systems in the Department of Education date back 15 to 20 years.
Mr Bailey: And are still there.
Mr FINCH: Exactly. Some of them are still there and are out of date. Members will know from personal experience that there is a ratio of 1 computer to 10 students in our schools. The rest of the country cannot come anywhere near that. However, only about 50% of the computers are modern equipment.
Mr Toyne: Who paid for them?
Mr FINCH: A small proportion were paid for by the Commonwealth. Much of the rest of the funding was the result of this government's generous computer policies over the years.
Mr Coulter: What about computers from Coles?
Mr FINCH: Yes, I am also well aware of some very innovative programs through which schools have acquired computers through corporate sponsorships. The government's $1-for-$1 policy has led to the high number of computers we now have in our schools. Virtually all of our schools have access to CD-ROM and a growing number are now linked to the Internet, with many having their own home page. We have, and have had for many years, a policy of progressing computer access for our students, for our teachers and for our administrators. We would not now have the problem of 15-year-old computers if, 15 years ago, we had not been at the forefront in putting computer systems into our schools. Let us have no nonsense from members opposite. This government has been responsible and effective.
There is obvious scope for upgrading the system and some $0.75m will be spent over the next year on planning and designing a computer system for the Department of Education. This will involve an evaluation of personal computer networking access for students, teachers and school administrators with the central education system and the Territory government network. This will enable our schools, our classrooms and all the sections of the department to have compatible systems linked to common networks. For that $0.75m, we will have designed an up-to-date computer system to service our schools and all those extra operators in the education system.
We have been spending considerable money on computer systems over recent years, at 2 schools in particular. One, installed at Woodroffe 2 years ago, was at that time state-of-the-art. Recently, the doors opened at Bees Creek Primary School which must be the
Page 2076
most modern, well-equipped and technologically advanced school in Australia. I say to honourable members opposite that, instead of locking themselves into their own computers, they should take a broader view. They should note what is happening in schools in their own electorates and acknowledge the great work that the Country Liberal Party administration has been doing, and will continue to do, with computer technology for our young people.
Page 2077
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016