Riverton School Community Library

Ms PRATT (Frome) (14:59): My question is to the Minister for Education. Is the minister aware of community concern surrounding the Riverton School Community Library, which will lose council funding from 30 June 2026, and what steps, if any, will he take to investigate?

The Hon. B.I. BOYER (Wright—Minister for Education, Training and Skills) (14:59): I thank the member for Frome for her question. Yes, I am aware of this issue. I have been alerted to the position of the local council around the Riverton community library, which has been co-funded, I understand, for a number of years by local council. The information that I have is that council has made a decision around removing their contribution to the library. I think I am right in saying that it will not in any way jeopardise the school's use of that site, but it could have ramifications, of course, for the broader Riverton community.

We know that at schools in regional parts of our state, right across the state, community libraries, which often sit on the sites of public schools, are a very important asset not just to the school but to the broader community as well. So yes, I am aware of the issue. I believe the department, if not my office, has been in contact with the council about their decision. I would urge the member for Frome, if she feels that this is a poor decision and one that should be reversed by the council, perhaps to do the same thing, if she has not already. But I have sought more information and I am happy to provide that to the member for Frome when I have it.