Ms SCRYMGOUR - 2002-08-20
Can you advise the House what has been funded in the 2002-03 budget to improve the infrastructure of schools?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. This is equal to my proudest day in parliament, to stand alongside the Chief Minister as minister with responsibility for Employment, Education and Training, because she has mandated a very clear direction for this government in placing employment, training and educational opportunities for all Territorians at the very top of priorities for this government - including opportunities for indigenous Territorians. We know education in itself is about investing for the future but, sadly, much of the school infrastructure across the Territory has deteriorated over the years and, in some cases, is in quite desperate need of repair and replacement.
This government has committed an additional $5m per year for repairs and maintenance to schools, commencing this 2002-03 year, in the belief that this will help to overcome some of the backlog in maintenance, and ensure essential maintenance is carried out into the future. New and upgraded facilities, if I could just mention a few: Parap Primary School, stage one upgrade; Nhulunbuy High School, new multipurpose hall, something promised by you blokes as far back as 1995 - seven years. That is why I am proud to stand here today, because I can deliver over the top of your broken promises - your broken promises, year in and year out. Nothing gives me more pleasure than to see that right up at the top of the budget papers.
Minyerri School – this mob here would never have heard of Minyerri, seen it on a map or visited there. A little school going quite well, building enrolments and numbers. They need a new classroom. We are going to do it for about $400 000. Those little places never ever got in the budget papers under our predecessors. They will get a new library, classroom, storage and toilets.
Alice Springs High School, upgrade airconditioning stage two, something we commenced in and around the Christmas break last year. $3m to upgrade remote schools in the Northern Territory. Within this, Maningrida Community Education Centre stage one, upgrade facilities - $1m. Papunya School stage one, upgrade facilities - $1.05m. Milyakburra School on Bickerton Island, extension to existing school - comes in at what, $460 400. The member for Arnhem is very pleased. Homeland centres in the Centre, Alyawarra Anmatjere cluster, again in that order of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Teacher housing will receive a huge boost, and the Minister for Housing will elaborate on that in future debate in this House.
These allocations do underline the priority that this government is placing on employment, education and training. I am very pleased to see it, and I am sure all Territorians will be as well.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arafura for her question. This is equal to my proudest day in parliament, to stand alongside the Chief Minister as minister with responsibility for Employment, Education and Training, because she has mandated a very clear direction for this government in placing employment, training and educational opportunities for all Territorians at the very top of priorities for this government - including opportunities for indigenous Territorians. We know education in itself is about investing for the future but, sadly, much of the school infrastructure across the Territory has deteriorated over the years and, in some cases, is in quite desperate need of repair and replacement.
This government has committed an additional $5m per year for repairs and maintenance to schools, commencing this 2002-03 year, in the belief that this will help to overcome some of the backlog in maintenance, and ensure essential maintenance is carried out into the future. New and upgraded facilities, if I could just mention a few: Parap Primary School, stage one upgrade; Nhulunbuy High School, new multipurpose hall, something promised by you blokes as far back as 1995 - seven years. That is why I am proud to stand here today, because I can deliver over the top of your broken promises - your broken promises, year in and year out. Nothing gives me more pleasure than to see that right up at the top of the budget papers.
Minyerri School – this mob here would never have heard of Minyerri, seen it on a map or visited there. A little school going quite well, building enrolments and numbers. They need a new classroom. We are going to do it for about $400 000. Those little places never ever got in the budget papers under our predecessors. They will get a new library, classroom, storage and toilets.
Alice Springs High School, upgrade airconditioning stage two, something we commenced in and around the Christmas break last year. $3m to upgrade remote schools in the Northern Territory. Within this, Maningrida Community Education Centre stage one, upgrade facilities - $1m. Papunya School stage one, upgrade facilities - $1.05m. Milyakburra School on Bickerton Island, extension to existing school - comes in at what, $460 400. The member for Arnhem is very pleased. Homeland centres in the Centre, Alyawarra Anmatjere cluster, again in that order of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Teacher housing will receive a huge boost, and the Minister for Housing will elaborate on that in future debate in this House.
These allocations do underline the priority that this government is placing on employment, education and training. I am very pleased to see it, and I am sure all Territorians will be as well.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016