Digital Education Strategy

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:15): My question is to the Premier.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Are the Premier's personal claims to be relieving the cost-of-living pressures, through this program that he has claimed credit for, a prime example of a politician peddling BS?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. S.C. Mullighan: What a zinger!

The SPEAKER: Order! The Treasurer is called to order. The member for West Torrens, under 134.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Standing order 97, sir: such questions are not to involve argument.

The SPEAKER: Yes.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: This is the second time he has done this in a row, sir. It is getting embarrassing.

The SPEAKER: Yes. I am going to give the—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I am going to give the—

The Hon. J.A.W. Gardner: I am happy to rephrase it, if you like.

The SPEAKER: Very well. Thank you.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: My question is to the Minister for Education, Training and Skills. How many public schools are not yet participating in the primary and secondary student device program? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order, sir.

The SPEAKER: I anticipate the point of order is that the question anticipates that there are a number of schools which are not participating, which is a matter of very fine judgement and might invite a sliver of argument.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! I will give the member for Morialta the opportunity to recast. I am not going to make a ruling, but I will give an opportunity to recast.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Thank you, sir. My question is to the Minister for Education, Training and Skills. How many public schools are participating in the primary and secondary student device program? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS: Point of order: it's the same, sir.

The SPEAKER: In fact it is; in fact it is, but I think that we would be testing the patience of the house if we were to entertain that point of order, so we are going to turn and remain with the member for Morialta who, I think, is seeking leave?

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Yes, sir.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Thank you, sir. There are 500 public schools or thereabouts in South Australia. FOI documents reveal that one of the cost-saving adjustments the minister approved to the program was that it become, and I quote, 'opt-in and, as such, department funding will only be released to those sites participating in the program and in agreeance with each of the program's terms and conditions'.

Mr Whetstone interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Chaffey is warned.

The Hon. B.I. BOYER (Wright—Minister for Education, Training and Skills) (14:17): I can tell the member for Morialta that the answer to his question is: 226 more than were participating when they were in government.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Member for Florey, order!

The Hon. S.C. Mullighan interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The Treasurer is called to order.