Ministerial Statement

NEW SCHOOLS PPP PROGRAM

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Minister for Education, Minister for Early Childhood Development, Minister for Science and Information Economy) (12:56): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: On 10 November 2010, during examination of the Auditor-General's Report into the Department of Education and Children's Services, I was asked a series of questions regarding costs associated with the New Schools PPP program. In respect of a question concerning an amount of $2.5 million for departmental project management and administration costs, referred to at page 311 of the report, I stated on advice that this amount was included in the $323 million net present value sum of the PPP contract.

I now clarify that the $2.5 million amount related to costs incurred by DECS for both Education Works stage 1 (including transition costs) and stage 2 and that it was not included in the $323 million net present value sum.

[Sitting suspended from 12:57 to 14:01]