EDUCATION BUDGET

The Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (14:44): My question again is to the Minister for Education and Children's Services. Why does the minister keep running her department in deficit? The Auditor-General's Report indicates that last year's deficit was reported to be $21 million, and this year's deficit is $12 million.

The Hon. J.D. LOMAX-SMITH (Adelaide—Minister for Education and Children's Services, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (14:44): I believe that over the last four years we have run a very tight budget. We have had a massive investment in education in this state that has redressed an extraordinarily underinvested period over about a decade. We have invested money in infrastructure investment, super schools, new programs and smaller class sizes. We have invested in extra teachers, both in junior primary and primary schools. We have invested in a senior secondary reform package, including a new SACE system.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.D. LOMAX-SMITH: We have had an extraordinary turnaround in the number of enrolments; in fact, the department should be very proud of its achievements and, in terms of coming in on budget, we have come very close over the past four years.