House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-04-03 Daily Xml

Contents

SCHOOL AMALGAMATIONS

Mrs REDMOND (Heysen—Leader of the Opposition) (14:21): Could I seek a clarification from the minister as a supplementary? I didn't hear the minister respond to the actual substance as to whether 38—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mrs REDMOND: —of the 42 schools actually voted against amalgamation.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! The leader will sit down. Minister.

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI (Hartley—Minister for Education and Child Development) (14:21): That's correct. That is absolutely correct. The majority of those schools identified for amalgamation are opposed to them. A number of them have voluntarily decided to amalgamate. I must also say that at the same time the government made this announcement we also put more than I think $27 million on the table for the capital works and redevelopment that are required. I am still considering all of the facts, and that is why it has been very useful for me to visit these schools, to meet with principals, to meet—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: —with teachers and parents—I have always been very pleased when parents have joined the discussion—and of course students.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!