❓ Mr. Waldron questions the Minister for Education about potential regional school closures, referencing concerns about other regional services. Mr. Carpenter denies a policy of reducing services and discusses school closures in his own electorate, framing them as consolidations with new facilities.
AnsweredQoN 504Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
The Government continues to target closure of regional services in Western Australia. It tried to close 22 police stations and four prisons and the Minister for Health cannot guarantee the future of country hospitals. Can the minister reassure this House that the Government has no plans whatsoever to close or downgrade any regional schools during the remainder of its term? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Wagin for his question and extremely rewarding and vigorous interest in education issues in his electorate. As I have said on many occasions, to the embarrassment of the member - he has asked me not to say so - he is one of the most pleasant and effective members in the Chamber. It is a pity that more of his colleagues on the other side do not replicate his attitude. The preface to his remarks is inaccurate as he knows, but he was seeking to make political gain. This Government does not have a policy of reducing services to country areas. As he will know, for example, in his electorate, through the Department of Sport and Recreation, I ensured that the Katanning Golf Club - Mr T.K. Waldron interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We will not go into it then. The Katanning Golf Club received an allocation from the community sport and recreation facilities fund although a recommendation was made that it should not do so. I said that it was a good project and the community deserved it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Members opposite hate it. They are whingeing, whining, negative, destructive people. My response is pretty simple: ignore the whingers and whiners and other things that start with “w” and get on with life. In relation to the specific question - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I am sure we are all waiting for the answer to the question. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Yesterday in the Chamber, I explained that in my electorate I was closing not one school but six schools. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Two new schools were built to replace six. Is the member for Wagin suggesting that I should say no to a new school being built in regional Western Australia to replace two existing schools because we cannot possibly close a school? Is that what he wants? Mr T.K. Waldron: No. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: They can do what they like. The previous Government went on a campaign of closing schools in rural Western Australia. I can tell the member for Wagin that, as far as I am concerned, unless an application came forward from the parents or the community to close a school because it was no longer viable for a small number of students or there was potential for the amalgamation of two or three schools in a location such as Bunbury or Albany, we would replace it. I am not aware of any scheme to see the systematic closure of schools in regional Western Australia. As I stand on my feet I cannot think of any case that involves a recommendation for closure.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for Wagin for his question and extremely rewarding and vigorous interest in education issues in his electorate. As I have said on many occasions, to the embarrassment of the member - he has asked me not to say so - he is one of the most pleasant and effective members in the Chamber. It is a pity that more of his colleagues on the other side do not replicate his attitude. The preface to his remarks is inaccurate as he knows, but he was seeking to make political gain. This Government does not have a policy of reducing services to country areas. As he will know, for example, in his electorate, through the Department of Sport and Recreation, I ensured that the Katanning Golf Club - Mr T.K. Waldron interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We will not go into it then. The Katanning Golf Club received an allocation from the community sport and recreation facilities fund although a recommendation was made that it should not do so. I said that it was a good project and the community deserved it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Members opposite hate it. They are whingeing, whining, negative, destructive people. My response is pretty simple: ignore the whingers and whiners and other things that start with “w” and get on with life. In relation to the specific question - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I am sure we are all waiting for the answer to the question. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Yesterday in the Chamber, I explained that in my electorate I was closing not one school but six schools. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Two new schools were built to replace six. Is the member for Wagin suggesting that I should say no to a new school being built in regional Western Australia to replace two existing schools because we cannot possibly close a school? Is that what he wants? Mr T.K. Waldron: No. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: They can do what they like. The previous Government went on a campaign of closing schools in rural Western Australia. I can tell the member for Wagin that, as far as I am concerned, unless an application came forward from the parents or the community to close a school because it was no longer viable for a small number of students or there was potential for the amalgamation of two or three schools in a location such as Bunbury or Albany, we would replace it. I am not aware of any scheme to see the systematic closure of schools in regional Western Australia. As I stand on my feet I cannot think of any case that involves a recommendation for closure.
I thank the member for Wagin for his question and extremely rewarding and vigorous interest in education issues in his electorate. As I have said on many occasions, to the embarrassment of the member - he has asked me not to say so - he is one of the most pleasant and effective members in the Chamber. It is a pity that more of his colleagues on the other side do not replicate his attitude. The preface to his remarks is inaccurate as he knows, but he was seeking to make political gain. This Government does not have a policy of reducing services to country areas. As he will know, for example, in his electorate, through the Department of Sport and Recreation, I ensured that the Katanning Golf Club - Mr T.K. Waldron interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We will not go into it then. The Katanning Golf Club received an allocation from the community sport and recreation facilities fund although a recommendation was made that it should not do so. I said that it was a good project and the community deserved it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Members opposite hate it. They are whingeing, whining, negative, destructive people. My response is pretty simple: ignore the whingers and whiners and other things that start with “w” and get on with life. In relation to the specific question - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I am sure we are all waiting for the answer to the question. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Yesterday in the Chamber, I explained that in my electorate I was closing not one school but six schools. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Two new schools were built to replace six. Is the member for Wagin suggesting that I should say no to a new school being built in regional Western Australia to replace two existing schools because we cannot possibly close a school? Is that what he wants? Mr T.K. Waldron: No. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: They can do what they like. The previous Government went on a campaign of closing schools in rural Western Australia. I can tell the member for Wagin that, as far as I am concerned, unless an application came forward from the parents or the community to close a school because it was no longer viable for a small number of students or there was potential for the amalgamation of two or three schools in a location such as Bunbury or Albany, we would replace it. I am not aware of any scheme to see the systematic closure of schools in regional Western Australia. As I stand on my feet I cannot think of any case that involves a recommendation for closure.
The preface to his remarks is inaccurate as he knows, but he was seeking to make political gain. This Government does not have a policy of reducing services to country areas. As he will know, for example, in his electorate, through the Department of Sport and Recreation, I ensured that the Katanning Golf Club - Mr T.K. Waldron interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We will not go into it then. The Katanning Golf Club received an allocation from the community sport and recreation facilities fund although a recommendation was made that it should not do so. I said that it was a good project and the community deserved it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Members opposite hate it. They are whingeing, whining, negative, destructive people. My response is pretty simple: ignore the whingers and whiners and other things that start with “w” and get on with life. In relation to the specific question - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I am sure we are all waiting for the answer to the question. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Yesterday in the Chamber, I explained that in my electorate I was closing not one school but six schools. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Two new schools were built to replace six. Is the member for Wagin suggesting that I should say no to a new school being built in regional Western Australia to replace two existing schools because we cannot possibly close a school? Is that what he wants? Mr T.K. Waldron: No. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: They can do what they like. The previous Government went on a campaign of closing schools in rural Western Australia. I can tell the member for Wagin that, as far as I am concerned, unless an application came forward from the parents or the community to close a school because it was no longer viable for a small number of students or there was potential for the amalgamation of two or three schools in a location such as Bunbury or Albany, we would replace it. I am not aware of any scheme to see the systematic closure of schools in regional Western Australia. As I stand on my feet I cannot think of any case that involves a recommendation for closure.
Mr T.K. Waldron interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We will not go into it then. The Katanning Golf Club received an allocation from the community sport and recreation facilities fund although a recommendation was made that it should not do so. I said that it was a good project and the community deserved it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Members opposite hate it. They are whingeing, whining, negative, destructive people. My response is pretty simple: ignore the whingers and whiners and other things that start with “w” and get on with life. In relation to the specific question - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I am sure we are all waiting for the answer to the question. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Yesterday in the Chamber, I explained that in my electorate I was closing not one school but six schools. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Two new schools were built to replace six. Is the member for Wagin suggesting that I should say no to a new school being built in regional Western Australia to replace two existing schools because we cannot possibly close a school? Is that what he wants? Mr T.K. Waldron: No. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: They can do what they like. The previous Government went on a campaign of closing schools in rural Western Australia. I can tell the member for Wagin that, as far as I am concerned, unless an application came forward from the parents or the community to close a school because it was no longer viable for a small number of students or there was potential for the amalgamation of two or three schools in a location such as Bunbury or Albany, we would replace it. I am not aware of any scheme to see the systematic closure of schools in regional Western Australia. As I stand on my feet I cannot think of any case that involves a recommendation for closure.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We will not go into it then. The Katanning Golf Club received an allocation from the community sport and recreation facilities fund although a recommendation was made that it should not do so. I said that it was a good project and the community deserved it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Members opposite hate it. They are whingeing, whining, negative, destructive people. My response is pretty simple: ignore the whingers and whiners and other things that start with “w” and get on with life. In relation to the specific question - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I am sure we are all waiting for the answer to the question. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Yesterday in the Chamber, I explained that in my electorate I was closing not one school but six schools. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Two new schools were built to replace six. Is the member for Wagin suggesting that I should say no to a new school being built in regional Western Australia to replace two existing schools because we cannot possibly close a school? Is that what he wants? Mr T.K. Waldron: No. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: They can do what they like. The previous Government went on a campaign of closing schools in rural Western Australia. I can tell the member for Wagin that, as far as I am concerned, unless an application came forward from the parents or the community to close a school because it was no longer viable for a small number of students or there was potential for the amalgamation of two or three schools in a location such as Bunbury or Albany, we would replace it. I am not aware of any scheme to see the systematic closure of schools in regional Western Australia. As I stand on my feet I cannot think of any case that involves a recommendation for closure.
Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Members opposite hate it. They are whingeing, whining, negative, destructive people. My response is pretty simple: ignore the whingers and whiners and other things that start with “w” and get on with life. In relation to the specific question - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I am sure we are all waiting for the answer to the question. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Yesterday in the Chamber, I explained that in my electorate I was closing not one school but six schools. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Two new schools were built to replace six. Is the member for Wagin suggesting that I should say no to a new school being built in regional Western Australia to replace two existing schools because we cannot possibly close a school? Is that what he wants? Mr T.K. Waldron: No. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: They can do what they like. The previous Government went on a campaign of closing schools in rural Western Australia. I can tell the member for Wagin that, as far as I am concerned, unless an application came forward from the parents or the community to close a school because it was no longer viable for a small number of students or there was potential for the amalgamation of two or three schools in a location such as Bunbury or Albany, we would replace it. I am not aware of any scheme to see the systematic closure of schools in regional Western Australia. As I stand on my feet I cannot think of any case that involves a recommendation for closure.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Members opposite hate it. They are whingeing, whining, negative, destructive people. My response is pretty simple: ignore the whingers and whiners and other things that start with “w” and get on with life. In relation to the specific question - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I am sure we are all waiting for the answer to the question. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Yesterday in the Chamber, I explained that in my electorate I was closing not one school but six schools. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Two new schools were built to replace six. Is the member for Wagin suggesting that I should say no to a new school being built in regional Western Australia to replace two existing schools because we cannot possibly close a school? Is that what he wants? Mr T.K. Waldron: No. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: They can do what they like. The previous Government went on a campaign of closing schools in rural Western Australia. I can tell the member for Wagin that, as far as I am concerned, unless an application came forward from the parents or the community to close a school because it was no longer viable for a small number of students or there was potential for the amalgamation of two or three schools in a location such as Bunbury or Albany, we would replace it. I am not aware of any scheme to see the systematic closure of schools in regional Western Australia. As I stand on my feet I cannot think of any case that involves a recommendation for closure.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I am sure we are all waiting for the answer to the question. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Yesterday in the Chamber, I explained that in my electorate I was closing not one school but six schools. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Two new schools were built to replace six. Is the member for Wagin suggesting that I should say no to a new school being built in regional Western Australia to replace two existing schools because we cannot possibly close a school? Is that what he wants? Mr T.K. Waldron: No. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: They can do what they like. The previous Government went on a campaign of closing schools in rural Western Australia. I can tell the member for Wagin that, as far as I am concerned, unless an application came forward from the parents or the community to close a school because it was no longer viable for a small number of students or there was potential for the amalgamation of two or three schools in a location such as Bunbury or Albany, we would replace it. I am not aware of any scheme to see the systematic closure of schools in regional Western Australia. As I stand on my feet I cannot think of any case that involves a recommendation for closure.
The SPEAKER: I am sure we are all waiting for the answer to the question. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Yesterday in the Chamber, I explained that in my electorate I was closing not one school but six schools. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Two new schools were built to replace six. Is the member for Wagin suggesting that I should say no to a new school being built in regional Western Australia to replace two existing schools because we cannot possibly close a school? Is that what he wants? Mr T.K. Waldron: No. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: They can do what they like. The previous Government went on a campaign of closing schools in rural Western Australia. I can tell the member for Wagin that, as far as I am concerned, unless an application came forward from the parents or the community to close a school because it was no longer viable for a small number of students or there was potential for the amalgamation of two or three schools in a location such as Bunbury or Albany, we would replace it. I am not aware of any scheme to see the systematic closure of schools in regional Western Australia. As I stand on my feet I cannot think of any case that involves a recommendation for closure.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Yesterday in the Chamber, I explained that in my electorate I was closing not one school but six schools. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Two new schools were built to replace six. Is the member for Wagin suggesting that I should say no to a new school being built in regional Western Australia to replace two existing schools because we cannot possibly close a school? Is that what he wants? Mr T.K. Waldron: No. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: They can do what they like. The previous Government went on a campaign of closing schools in rural Western Australia. I can tell the member for Wagin that, as far as I am concerned, unless an application came forward from the parents or the community to close a school because it was no longer viable for a small number of students or there was potential for the amalgamation of two or three schools in a location such as Bunbury or Albany, we would replace it. I am not aware of any scheme to see the systematic closure of schools in regional Western Australia. As I stand on my feet I cannot think of any case that involves a recommendation for closure.
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Two new schools were built to replace six. Is the member for Wagin suggesting that I should say no to a new school being built in regional Western Australia to replace two existing schools because we cannot possibly close a school? Is that what he wants? Mr T.K. Waldron: No. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: They can do what they like. The previous Government went on a campaign of closing schools in rural Western Australia. I can tell the member for Wagin that, as far as I am concerned, unless an application came forward from the parents or the community to close a school because it was no longer viable for a small number of students or there was potential for the amalgamation of two or three schools in a location such as Bunbury or Albany, we would replace it. I am not aware of any scheme to see the systematic closure of schools in regional Western Australia. As I stand on my feet I cannot think of any case that involves a recommendation for closure.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Two new schools were built to replace six. Is the member for Wagin suggesting that I should say no to a new school being built in regional Western Australia to replace two existing schools because we cannot possibly close a school? Is that what he wants? Mr T.K. Waldron: No. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: They can do what they like. The previous Government went on a campaign of closing schools in rural Western Australia. I can tell the member for Wagin that, as far as I am concerned, unless an application came forward from the parents or the community to close a school because it was no longer viable for a small number of students or there was potential for the amalgamation of two or three schools in a location such as Bunbury or Albany, we would replace it. I am not aware of any scheme to see the systematic closure of schools in regional Western Australia. As I stand on my feet I cannot think of any case that involves a recommendation for closure.
Mr T.K. Waldron: No. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: They can do what they like. The previous Government went on a campaign of closing schools in rural Western Australia. I can tell the member for Wagin that, as far as I am concerned, unless an application came forward from the parents or the community to close a school because it was no longer viable for a small number of students or there was potential for the amalgamation of two or three schools in a location such as Bunbury or Albany, we would replace it. I am not aware of any scheme to see the systematic closure of schools in regional Western Australia. As I stand on my feet I cannot think of any case that involves a recommendation for closure.
Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: They can do what they like. The previous Government went on a campaign of closing schools in rural Western Australia. I can tell the member for Wagin that, as far as I am concerned, unless an application came forward from the parents or the community to close a school because it was no longer viable for a small number of students or there was potential for the amalgamation of two or three schools in a location such as Bunbury or Albany, we would replace it. I am not aware of any scheme to see the systematic closure of schools in regional Western Australia. As I stand on my feet I cannot think of any case that involves a recommendation for closure.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: They can do what they like. The previous Government went on a campaign of closing schools in rural Western Australia. I can tell the member for Wagin that, as far as I am concerned, unless an application came forward from the parents or the community to close a school because it was no longer viable for a small number of students or there was potential for the amalgamation of two or three schools in a location such as Bunbury or Albany, we would replace it. I am not aware of any scheme to see the systematic closure of schools in regional Western Australia. As I stand on my feet I cannot think of any case that involves a recommendation for closure.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for Wagin for his question and extremely rewarding and vigorous interest in education issues in his electorate. As I have said on many occasions, to the embarrassment of the member - he has asked me not to say so - he is one of the most pleasant and effective members in the Chamber. It is a pity that more of his colleagues on the other side do not replicate his attitude. The preface to his remarks is inaccurate as he knows, but he was seeking to make political gain. This Government does not have a policy of reducing services to country areas. As he will know, for example, in his electorate, through the Department of Sport and Recreation, I ensured that the Katanning Golf Club - Mr T.K. Waldron interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We will not go into it then. The Katanning Golf Club received an allocation from the community sport and recreation facilities fund although a recommendation was made that it should not do so. I said that it was a good project and the community deserved it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Members opposite hate it. They are whingeing, whining, negative, destructive people. My response is pretty simple: ignore the whingers and whiners and other things that start with “w” and get on with life. In relation to the specific question - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I am sure we are all waiting for the answer to the question. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Yesterday in the Chamber, I explained that in my electorate I was closing not one school but six schools. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Two new schools were built to replace six. Is the member for Wagin suggesting that I should say no to a new school being built in regional Western Australia to replace two existing schools because we cannot possibly close a school? Is that what he wants? Mr T.K. Waldron: No. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: They can do what they like. The previous Government went on a campaign of closing schools in rural Western Australia. I can tell the member for Wagin that, as far as I am concerned, unless an application came forward from the parents or the community to close a school because it was no longer viable for a small number of students or there was potential for the amalgamation of two or three schools in a location such as Bunbury or Albany, we would replace it. I am not aware of any scheme to see the systematic closure of schools in regional Western Australia. As I stand on my feet I cannot think of any case that involves a recommendation for closure.
I thank the member for Wagin for his question and extremely rewarding and vigorous interest in education issues in his electorate. As I have said on many occasions, to the embarrassment of the member - he has asked me not to say so - he is one of the most pleasant and effective members in the Chamber. It is a pity that more of his colleagues on the other side do not replicate his attitude. The preface to his remarks is inaccurate as he knows, but he was seeking to make political gain. This Government does not have a policy of reducing services to country areas. As he will know, for example, in his electorate, through the Department of Sport and Recreation, I ensured that the Katanning Golf Club - Mr T.K. Waldron interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We will not go into it then. The Katanning Golf Club received an allocation from the community sport and recreation facilities fund although a recommendation was made that it should not do so. I said that it was a good project and the community deserved it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Members opposite hate it. They are whingeing, whining, negative, destructive people. My response is pretty simple: ignore the whingers and whiners and other things that start with “w” and get on with life. In relation to the specific question - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I am sure we are all waiting for the answer to the question. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Yesterday in the Chamber, I explained that in my electorate I was closing not one school but six schools. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Two new schools were built to replace six. Is the member for Wagin suggesting that I should say no to a new school being built in regional Western Australia to replace two existing schools because we cannot possibly close a school? Is that what he wants? Mr T.K. Waldron: No. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: They can do what they like. The previous Government went on a campaign of closing schools in rural Western Australia. I can tell the member for Wagin that, as far as I am concerned, unless an application came forward from the parents or the community to close a school because it was no longer viable for a small number of students or there was potential for the amalgamation of two or three schools in a location such as Bunbury or Albany, we would replace it. I am not aware of any scheme to see the systematic closure of schools in regional Western Australia. As I stand on my feet I cannot think of any case that involves a recommendation for closure.
The preface to his remarks is inaccurate as he knows, but he was seeking to make political gain. This Government does not have a policy of reducing services to country areas. As he will know, for example, in his electorate, through the Department of Sport and Recreation, I ensured that the Katanning Golf Club - Mr T.K. Waldron interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We will not go into it then. The Katanning Golf Club received an allocation from the community sport and recreation facilities fund although a recommendation was made that it should not do so. I said that it was a good project and the community deserved it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Members opposite hate it. They are whingeing, whining, negative, destructive people. My response is pretty simple: ignore the whingers and whiners and other things that start with “w” and get on with life. In relation to the specific question - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I am sure we are all waiting for the answer to the question. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Yesterday in the Chamber, I explained that in my electorate I was closing not one school but six schools. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Two new schools were built to replace six. Is the member for Wagin suggesting that I should say no to a new school being built in regional Western Australia to replace two existing schools because we cannot possibly close a school? Is that what he wants? Mr T.K. Waldron: No. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: They can do what they like. The previous Government went on a campaign of closing schools in rural Western Australia. I can tell the member for Wagin that, as far as I am concerned, unless an application came forward from the parents or the community to close a school because it was no longer viable for a small number of students or there was potential for the amalgamation of two or three schools in a location such as Bunbury or Albany, we would replace it. I am not aware of any scheme to see the systematic closure of schools in regional Western Australia. As I stand on my feet I cannot think of any case that involves a recommendation for closure.
Mr T.K. Waldron interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We will not go into it then. The Katanning Golf Club received an allocation from the community sport and recreation facilities fund although a recommendation was made that it should not do so. I said that it was a good project and the community deserved it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Members opposite hate it. They are whingeing, whining, negative, destructive people. My response is pretty simple: ignore the whingers and whiners and other things that start with “w” and get on with life. In relation to the specific question - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I am sure we are all waiting for the answer to the question. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Yesterday in the Chamber, I explained that in my electorate I was closing not one school but six schools. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Two new schools were built to replace six. Is the member for Wagin suggesting that I should say no to a new school being built in regional Western Australia to replace two existing schools because we cannot possibly close a school? Is that what he wants? Mr T.K. Waldron: No. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: They can do what they like. The previous Government went on a campaign of closing schools in rural Western Australia. I can tell the member for Wagin that, as far as I am concerned, unless an application came forward from the parents or the community to close a school because it was no longer viable for a small number of students or there was potential for the amalgamation of two or three schools in a location such as Bunbury or Albany, we would replace it. I am not aware of any scheme to see the systematic closure of schools in regional Western Australia. As I stand on my feet I cannot think of any case that involves a recommendation for closure.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We will not go into it then. The Katanning Golf Club received an allocation from the community sport and recreation facilities fund although a recommendation was made that it should not do so. I said that it was a good project and the community deserved it. Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Members opposite hate it. They are whingeing, whining, negative, destructive people. My response is pretty simple: ignore the whingers and whiners and other things that start with “w” and get on with life. In relation to the specific question - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I am sure we are all waiting for the answer to the question. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Yesterday in the Chamber, I explained that in my electorate I was closing not one school but six schools. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Two new schools were built to replace six. Is the member for Wagin suggesting that I should say no to a new school being built in regional Western Australia to replace two existing schools because we cannot possibly close a school? Is that what he wants? Mr T.K. Waldron: No. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: They can do what they like. The previous Government went on a campaign of closing schools in rural Western Australia. I can tell the member for Wagin that, as far as I am concerned, unless an application came forward from the parents or the community to close a school because it was no longer viable for a small number of students or there was potential for the amalgamation of two or three schools in a location such as Bunbury or Albany, we would replace it. I am not aware of any scheme to see the systematic closure of schools in regional Western Australia. As I stand on my feet I cannot think of any case that involves a recommendation for closure.
Several members interjected Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Members opposite hate it. They are whingeing, whining, negative, destructive people. My response is pretty simple: ignore the whingers and whiners and other things that start with “w” and get on with life. In relation to the specific question - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I am sure we are all waiting for the answer to the question. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Yesterday in the Chamber, I explained that in my electorate I was closing not one school but six schools. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Two new schools were built to replace six. Is the member for Wagin suggesting that I should say no to a new school being built in regional Western Australia to replace two existing schools because we cannot possibly close a school? Is that what he wants? Mr T.K. Waldron: No. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: They can do what they like. The previous Government went on a campaign of closing schools in rural Western Australia. I can tell the member for Wagin that, as far as I am concerned, unless an application came forward from the parents or the community to close a school because it was no longer viable for a small number of students or there was potential for the amalgamation of two or three schools in a location such as Bunbury or Albany, we would replace it. I am not aware of any scheme to see the systematic closure of schools in regional Western Australia. As I stand on my feet I cannot think of any case that involves a recommendation for closure.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Members opposite hate it. They are whingeing, whining, negative, destructive people. My response is pretty simple: ignore the whingers and whiners and other things that start with “w” and get on with life. In relation to the specific question - Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I am sure we are all waiting for the answer to the question. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Yesterday in the Chamber, I explained that in my electorate I was closing not one school but six schools. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Two new schools were built to replace six. Is the member for Wagin suggesting that I should say no to a new school being built in regional Western Australia to replace two existing schools because we cannot possibly close a school? Is that what he wants? Mr T.K. Waldron: No. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: They can do what they like. The previous Government went on a campaign of closing schools in rural Western Australia. I can tell the member for Wagin that, as far as I am concerned, unless an application came forward from the parents or the community to close a school because it was no longer viable for a small number of students or there was potential for the amalgamation of two or three schools in a location such as Bunbury or Albany, we would replace it. I am not aware of any scheme to see the systematic closure of schools in regional Western Australia. As I stand on my feet I cannot think of any case that involves a recommendation for closure.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: I am sure we are all waiting for the answer to the question. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Yesterday in the Chamber, I explained that in my electorate I was closing not one school but six schools. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Two new schools were built to replace six. Is the member for Wagin suggesting that I should say no to a new school being built in regional Western Australia to replace two existing schools because we cannot possibly close a school? Is that what he wants? Mr T.K. Waldron: No. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: They can do what they like. The previous Government went on a campaign of closing schools in rural Western Australia. I can tell the member for Wagin that, as far as I am concerned, unless an application came forward from the parents or the community to close a school because it was no longer viable for a small number of students or there was potential for the amalgamation of two or three schools in a location such as Bunbury or Albany, we would replace it. I am not aware of any scheme to see the systematic closure of schools in regional Western Australia. As I stand on my feet I cannot think of any case that involves a recommendation for closure.
The SPEAKER: I am sure we are all waiting for the answer to the question. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Yesterday in the Chamber, I explained that in my electorate I was closing not one school but six schools. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Two new schools were built to replace six. Is the member for Wagin suggesting that I should say no to a new school being built in regional Western Australia to replace two existing schools because we cannot possibly close a school? Is that what he wants? Mr T.K. Waldron: No. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: They can do what they like. The previous Government went on a campaign of closing schools in rural Western Australia. I can tell the member for Wagin that, as far as I am concerned, unless an application came forward from the parents or the community to close a school because it was no longer viable for a small number of students or there was potential for the amalgamation of two or three schools in a location such as Bunbury or Albany, we would replace it. I am not aware of any scheme to see the systematic closure of schools in regional Western Australia. As I stand on my feet I cannot think of any case that involves a recommendation for closure.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Yesterday in the Chamber, I explained that in my electorate I was closing not one school but six schools. Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Two new schools were built to replace six. Is the member for Wagin suggesting that I should say no to a new school being built in regional Western Australia to replace two existing schools because we cannot possibly close a school? Is that what he wants? Mr T.K. Waldron: No. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: They can do what they like. The previous Government went on a campaign of closing schools in rural Western Australia. I can tell the member for Wagin that, as far as I am concerned, unless an application came forward from the parents or the community to close a school because it was no longer viable for a small number of students or there was potential for the amalgamation of two or three schools in a location such as Bunbury or Albany, we would replace it. I am not aware of any scheme to see the systematic closure of schools in regional Western Australia. As I stand on my feet I cannot think of any case that involves a recommendation for closure.
Ms S.E. Walker interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Two new schools were built to replace six. Is the member for Wagin suggesting that I should say no to a new school being built in regional Western Australia to replace two existing schools because we cannot possibly close a school? Is that what he wants? Mr T.K. Waldron: No. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: They can do what they like. The previous Government went on a campaign of closing schools in rural Western Australia. I can tell the member for Wagin that, as far as I am concerned, unless an application came forward from the parents or the community to close a school because it was no longer viable for a small number of students or there was potential for the amalgamation of two or three schools in a location such as Bunbury or Albany, we would replace it. I am not aware of any scheme to see the systematic closure of schools in regional Western Australia. As I stand on my feet I cannot think of any case that involves a recommendation for closure.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: Two new schools were built to replace six. Is the member for Wagin suggesting that I should say no to a new school being built in regional Western Australia to replace two existing schools because we cannot possibly close a school? Is that what he wants? Mr T.K. Waldron: No. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: They can do what they like. The previous Government went on a campaign of closing schools in rural Western Australia. I can tell the member for Wagin that, as far as I am concerned, unless an application came forward from the parents or the community to close a school because it was no longer viable for a small number of students or there was potential for the amalgamation of two or three schools in a location such as Bunbury or Albany, we would replace it. I am not aware of any scheme to see the systematic closure of schools in regional Western Australia. As I stand on my feet I cannot think of any case that involves a recommendation for closure.
Mr T.K. Waldron: No. Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: They can do what they like. The previous Government went on a campaign of closing schools in rural Western Australia. I can tell the member for Wagin that, as far as I am concerned, unless an application came forward from the parents or the community to close a school because it was no longer viable for a small number of students or there was potential for the amalgamation of two or three schools in a location such as Bunbury or Albany, we would replace it. I am not aware of any scheme to see the systematic closure of schools in regional Western Australia. As I stand on my feet I cannot think of any case that involves a recommendation for closure.
Mr M.W. Trenorden interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: They can do what they like. The previous Government went on a campaign of closing schools in rural Western Australia. I can tell the member for Wagin that, as far as I am concerned, unless an application came forward from the parents or the community to close a school because it was no longer viable for a small number of students or there was potential for the amalgamation of two or three schools in a location such as Bunbury or Albany, we would replace it. I am not aware of any scheme to see the systematic closure of schools in regional Western Australia. As I stand on my feet I cannot think of any case that involves a recommendation for closure.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: They can do what they like. The previous Government went on a campaign of closing schools in rural Western Australia. I can tell the member for Wagin that, as far as I am concerned, unless an application came forward from the parents or the community to close a school because it was no longer viable for a small number of students or there was potential for the amalgamation of two or three schools in a location such as Bunbury or Albany, we would replace it. I am not aware of any scheme to see the systematic closure of schools in regional Western Australia. As I stand on my feet I cannot think of any case that involves a recommendation for closure.
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