Question regarding the lack of applications for an early learning centre in South Hedland despite federal funding. The Minister acknowledges the issue, citing insufficient funding and subsequent Commonwealth management, leading to a request to redirect funds to another WA location.

AnsweredQoN 571Legislative Council
Asked
11 August 2011
Portfolio
Education

QuestionView source ↗

EARLY LEARNING AND CARE CENTRE, SOUTH HEDLAND
I refer to the $114.5 million allocated by the federal government in the 2008–09 budget to establish 38 early learning and care centres, including five in Western Australia. (1) Is the minister aware that no application was received for the establishment of an early learning and care centre in South Hedland before applications closed on 15 February 2011? (2) Can the minister explain why no application was submitted to establish an early learning and care centre in South Hedland, as required, by 15 February 2011? Hon PETER COLLIER

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Yes. (2) The Department of Education recognised that the initial funds allocated to this project were not sufficient to complete the required outcomes of the project. The early learning and care centre in South Hedland project costs were significantly higher than the funds allocated by the commonwealth government. This was conveyed to the commonwealth government. Subsequently, the commonwealth government took on the management of the project within its existing budget. No tender bids were received. As a result I have written to Hon Peter Garrett, MP, requesting redirection of the funds allocated to the early learning and care centre proposed for Baler, South Hedland to another location in Western Australia.
(1) Is the minister aware that no application was received for the establishment of an early learning and care centre in South Hedland before applications closed on 15 February 2011? (2) Can the minister explain why no application was submitted to establish an early learning and care centre in South Hedland, as required, by 15 February 2011? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Yes. (2) The Department of Education recognised that the initial funds allocated to this project were not sufficient to complete the required outcomes of the project. The early learning and care centre in South Hedland project costs were significantly higher than the funds allocated by the commonwealth government. This was conveyed to the commonwealth government. Subsequently, the commonwealth government took on the management of the project within its existing budget. No tender bids were received. As a result I have written to Hon Peter Garrett, MP, requesting redirection of the funds allocated to the early learning and care centre proposed for Baler, South Hedland to another location in Western Australia.
(2) Can the minister explain why no application was submitted to establish an early learning and care centre in South Hedland, as required, by 15 February 2011? Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Yes. (2) The Department of Education recognised that the initial funds allocated to this project were not sufficient to complete the required outcomes of the project. The early learning and care centre in South Hedland project costs were significantly higher than the funds allocated by the commonwealth government. This was conveyed to the commonwealth government. Subsequently, the commonwealth government took on the management of the project within its existing budget. No tender bids were received. As a result I have written to Hon Peter Garrett, MP, requesting redirection of the funds allocated to the early learning and care centre proposed for Baler, South Hedland to another location in Western Australia.
Hon PETER COLLIER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Yes. (2) The Department of Education recognised that the initial funds allocated to this project were not sufficient to complete the required outcomes of the project. The early learning and care centre in South Hedland project costs were significantly higher than the funds allocated by the commonwealth government. This was conveyed to the commonwealth government. Subsequently, the commonwealth government took on the management of the project within its existing budget. No tender bids were received. As a result I have written to Hon Peter Garrett, MP, requesting redirection of the funds allocated to the early learning and care centre proposed for Baler, South Hedland to another location in Western Australia.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Yes. (2) The Department of Education recognised that the initial funds allocated to this project were not sufficient to complete the required outcomes of the project. The early learning and care centre in South Hedland project costs were significantly higher than the funds allocated by the commonwealth government. This was conveyed to the commonwealth government. Subsequently, the commonwealth government took on the management of the project within its existing budget. No tender bids were received. As a result I have written to Hon Peter Garrett, MP, requesting redirection of the funds allocated to the early learning and care centre proposed for Baler, South Hedland to another location in Western Australia.
(1) Yes. (2) The Department of Education recognised that the initial funds allocated to this project were not sufficient to complete the required outcomes of the project. The early learning and care centre in South Hedland project costs were significantly higher than the funds allocated by the commonwealth government. This was conveyed to the commonwealth government. Subsequently, the commonwealth government took on the management of the project within its existing budget. No tender bids were received. As a result I have written to Hon Peter Garrett, MP, requesting redirection of the funds allocated to the early learning and care centre proposed for Baler, South Hedland to another location in Western Australia.
(2) The Department of Education recognised that the initial funds allocated to this project were not sufficient to complete the required outcomes of the project. The early learning and care centre in South Hedland project costs were significantly higher than the funds allocated by the commonwealth government. This was conveyed to the commonwealth government. Subsequently, the commonwealth government took on the management of the project within its existing budget. No tender bids were received. As a result I have written to Hon Peter Garrett, MP, requesting redirection of the funds allocated to the early learning and care centre proposed for Baler, South Hedland to another location in Western Australia.

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