ISOLATED STUDENTS FUNDING

In reply to the Hon. C.V. SCHAEFER (12 May 2009).

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy): The Minister for Educationhas advised:

In December 2008, the Department of Education and Children's Services increased funding by 50 per cent for the provision of internet services to remote and isolated School of the Air families, bringing the funding to $30,000 annually.

In addition, the Open Access College receives $50,000 to provide assistance to remote and isolated families in the purchase of computers for their children's education.

The services accessed by remote and isolated School for the Air families are provided by commercial telecommunications carriers, and parents are free to select the service of their choice.

Pricing and service are set by the commercial telecommunications carriers.

The Department of Education and Children's Services does not own any telecommunications infrastructure. All services are procured from telecommunications carriers.