Education Advertising

In reply to the Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (5 July 2023). (Estimates Committee A)

The Hon. B.I. BOYER (Wright—Minister for Education, Training and Skills):

Advertising for new initiatives – such as the new technical colleges – is an important part of telling families, guardians and carers about these new options available to students. It also complements a range of information sessions, webinars and expos to provide career advice.

As the expenditure relates to all technical colleges and the students will be included as enrolments per Gonski, this expenditure will be included as Gonski expenditure as is entirely appropriate.

As the member is well aware, Gonski funding supports the operation of the Department for Education, which includes the marketing functions, to ensure South Australians know about initiatives such as new technical colleges. This is consistent with when the member for Morialta was the Minister for Education.

The former Marshall Liberal government used Gonski funding for advertising, including:

$310,000 paid to DPC for the Building What Matters campaign.

$45,000 for the ThankED campaign.