Ms WALKER - 2010-08-11
The CLP and Tony Abbott’s Liberals have constantly opposed the Building the Education Revolution Program which has provided significant benefits to the Territory economy and Territory schools. What would be the consequences of Tony Abbott’s and the Liberals’ threat to scrap the BER program and cancel school upgrades?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. As the Treasurer has said previously, the stimulus package is absolutely central to the Northern Territory weathering the global financial crisis storm. Over $270m was allocated to the Northern Territory for BER through the stimulus package for 186 schools. My information says to date approximately 520 businesses and 213 apprentices have also been involved in these projects.
There have been quite a number of projects which have been completed. I know the member for Fong Lim was at one the other day. There is still well over $100m outstanding and really at risk if Tony Abbott were to seize control of the Australian government at the next election. That represents projects at over 100 schools. It is essential infrastructure, it is essential to business, but it is hard to say what Tony Abbott would do.
I have a list of projects here: Bakewell Primary School is pretty well advanced and is due to be completed in December 2010; Gillen Primary – January 2012 for completion; Moulden Park Primary – January 2011; Nakara Primary in my colleague’s electorate – January 2011; Ross Park Primary – March 2011; and Sadadeen Primary – 2011.
Some projects are yet to get under contract, that is Bonya School; Canteen Creek; remote schools that desperately need infrastructure – Wooliana School; and school projects not yet out to tender – Nhulunbuy Primary School, Tennant Creek Primary School and Ti Tree.
Who can say what Tony Abbott would do if he got into power? He is diametrically opposed to the BER projects. I reckon he would cut them off …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Dr BURNS: … and we do know the attitude of members opposite, particularly the member for Braitling when he came out publicly and said you can build a McDonalds for $1m and criticised Larrakeyah Primary School for their $2m school hall and other upgrades.
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I have never spoken about Larrakeyah Primary School …
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order, resume your seat, member for Braitling.
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, I do not have the article right here, but there was an article in The Australian with your name against it …
Mr Giles: I have the article right here. It does not even quote me, you goose.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: With your name against it. So you are denying you ever said it.
Mr Giles: I never said it, you idiot. Read the article …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, withdraw that comment.
Mr GILES: I withdraw.
Madam SPEAKER: The time has expired, minister.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Giles: Read the article and look for quotation marks, you fool.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, I ask you to withdraw that comment.
Mr GILES: I withdraw.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nhulunbuy for her question. As the Treasurer has said previously, the stimulus package is absolutely central to the Northern Territory weathering the global financial crisis storm. Over $270m was allocated to the Northern Territory for BER through the stimulus package for 186 schools. My information says to date approximately 520 businesses and 213 apprentices have also been involved in these projects.
There have been quite a number of projects which have been completed. I know the member for Fong Lim was at one the other day. There is still well over $100m outstanding and really at risk if Tony Abbott were to seize control of the Australian government at the next election. That represents projects at over 100 schools. It is essential infrastructure, it is essential to business, but it is hard to say what Tony Abbott would do.
I have a list of projects here: Bakewell Primary School is pretty well advanced and is due to be completed in December 2010; Gillen Primary – January 2012 for completion; Moulden Park Primary – January 2011; Nakara Primary in my colleague’s electorate – January 2011; Ross Park Primary – March 2011; and Sadadeen Primary – 2011.
Some projects are yet to get under contract, that is Bonya School; Canteen Creek; remote schools that desperately need infrastructure – Wooliana School; and school projects not yet out to tender – Nhulunbuy Primary School, Tennant Creek Primary School and Ti Tree.
Who can say what Tony Abbott would do if he got into power? He is diametrically opposed to the BER projects. I reckon he would cut them off …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Order!
Dr BURNS: … and we do know the attitude of members opposite, particularly the member for Braitling when he came out publicly and said you can build a McDonalds for $1m and criticised Larrakeyah Primary School for their $2m school hall and other upgrades.
Mr GILES: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I have never spoken about Larrakeyah Primary School …
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order, resume your seat, member for Braitling.
Dr BURNS: Madam Speaker, I do not have the article right here, but there was an article in The Australian with your name against it …
Mr Giles: I have the article right here. It does not even quote me, you goose.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Dr BURNS: With your name against it. So you are denying you ever said it.
Mr Giles: I never said it, you idiot. Read the article …
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, withdraw that comment.
Mr GILES: I withdraw.
Madam SPEAKER: The time has expired, minister.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr Giles: Read the article and look for quotation marks, you fool.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Braitling, I ask you to withdraw that comment.
Mr GILES: I withdraw.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016