Building Better Schools Program

Mr HUGHES (Giles) (14:40): My question is to the Minister for Education and Child Development. How will students across regional South Australia benefit from the government's Building Better Schools program?

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Minister for Education and Child Development, Minister for Higher Education and Skills) (14:40): I am delighted to answer this question, having visited many of the schools that are now the recipients of additional funding for refurbishment. It is a genuine pleasure to have been able to at least partially satisfy some of the needs in our education system.

The house will be well aware that on Monday the Premier and I announced the $692 million program to upgrade 91 schools across South Australia. The twin goals of that, of course, are to have better, stronger and more fit for purpose schools for the modern economy to prepare students for the future and also to maximise local participation in the building. Members will be aware that not only are we building a new school in the north of Adelaide and the south of Adelaide but today we also announced that we will be building a new high school in Whyalla.

Not only will it be an important asset for Whyalla but it will also resolve what I think was a less than satisfactory situation of having a truncated high school experience for students. Experience across the world demonstrates that it is better to keep students in one environment for their high school years rather than giving any suggestion that leaving after year 9 or even after year 11 is acceptable. It once was, absolutely, but it no longer is. Our economy requires us to educate our students through to the end of high school.

The question was in fact about the money that is being spent on our regional schools. It is understood, I think, that about a third of the schools that are being supported are from outside the Adelaide metropolitan area. Across the Barossa, Nuriootpa primary will be receiving a $7½ million upgrade. I remember visiting that school a couple of years ago and having the principal explain exactly what she would do if ever she came into some funding, and I am delighted that that has been able to occur.

Port Lincoln High School will be receiving a $15 million upgrade, and that is extremely important. That school has a number of transportables that are not satisfactory learning environments, and I think they will do a magnificent job with the funding. They have long been on my mind and on the department's mind. Murray Bridge High School will be receiving $20 million and Murray Bridge North School will be receiving $5 million. Murray Bridge high is subject to growth and has this great opportunity to really develop a very strong high school there. The principal and the local member have met with me several times to urge upon me what a fantastic environment that could be with an injection of some money.

I also recently met with the federal member for Mayo, Rebekha Sharkie, and she brought along the Mayor of Mount Barker, Ann Ferguson. They talked about the growing needs in the Mount Barker area. We are very well aware that Mount Barker's population is increasing and also that we need to be—

Mr Knoll: So you asked the federal member and the local councillor but you didn't ask the state members of parliament.

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE: I didn't invite; they came and saw me because they wanted me to pay attention to the needs of the schools in their area.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Chaffey is called to order.

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE: It's rare that federal members come to see me, but not unheard of, and dedicated federal members do come and talk about the state schools and investment in them.

The Hon. P. Caica interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Colton is called to order.

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE: Between Mount Barker Primary School and Mount Barker High School, they will be receiving a total of $13.5 million not only to improve and refurbish their facilities but to expand their capacity. These high schools and primary schools across the regions of South Australia—and there are schools in each of the regions in South Australia that have received funding—will make the maximum use of that funding. Schools are important to every community, they are the beating heart of country communities, and I am delighted that we have been able to improve the facilities for them.

The SPEAKER: Did the minister mention Mannum Community College?

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE: Mr Speaker, I didn't, but you are quite right that Mannum Community College is receiving funding—

The SPEAKER: And Murray Bridge High School?

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE: —as indeed Murray Bridge High School is.

The SPEAKER: And Nuriootpa Primary School?

The Hon. S.E. CLOSE: I mentioned Nuriootpa Primary School, indeed.

The SPEAKER: Supplementary, member for Morialta.