Mr WOOD - 2005-08-17
I know you have said many times that you support the VET program in our secondary schools. Could you please say why the government has cut the program at Taminmin High School? Have other schools been cut? Is it true that money cut from secondary schools has gone to VET programs at the Charles Darwin University? Did you authorise these changes?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I would be very surprised if funding from the department has been cut to Taminmin High. Taminmin High stands high in my regard in relation to the innovative way in which it has undertaken Vocational Education and Training within its four walls and, indeed, outside its four walls. In fact, it is so recognised that students from northern suburbs schools travel to Taminmin on a weekly basis to undertake particular Vocational Education and Training programs not available within their own school.
That speaks for itself, of how high a regard not just I, as minister, and the department, but parents and students from around other much larger schools, have for the VET program at Taminmin. I visited it a number of times. In fact, one time the staff and I took the Chevy Corvette down there, and they had it up on the hoist within minutes of arriving and wanted to attack it, pull it apart and see how it all worked. It is a great and innovative program, very strongly supported by Principal, Kim Rowe, who is an outstanding principal in his own right.
I would be very surprised, but I will ask the question, obviously, if there has been any cut. There has been no cut, certainly from this government. As I said, I would be very surprised if there had been any cut from the department, but I undertake to report immediately to the member. I give him this unequivocal assurance as well: if there is a cut, it will not be happening any longer.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I would be very surprised if funding from the department has been cut to Taminmin High. Taminmin High stands high in my regard in relation to the innovative way in which it has undertaken Vocational Education and Training within its four walls and, indeed, outside its four walls. In fact, it is so recognised that students from northern suburbs schools travel to Taminmin on a weekly basis to undertake particular Vocational Education and Training programs not available within their own school.
That speaks for itself, of how high a regard not just I, as minister, and the department, but parents and students from around other much larger schools, have for the VET program at Taminmin. I visited it a number of times. In fact, one time the staff and I took the Chevy Corvette down there, and they had it up on the hoist within minutes of arriving and wanted to attack it, pull it apart and see how it all worked. It is a great and innovative program, very strongly supported by Principal, Kim Rowe, who is an outstanding principal in his own right.
I would be very surprised, but I will ask the question, obviously, if there has been any cut. There has been no cut, certainly from this government. As I said, I would be very surprised if there had been any cut from the department, but I undertake to report immediately to the member. I give him this unequivocal assurance as well: if there is a cut, it will not be happening any longer.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016