❓ The Minister outlines measures to attract teachers to country areas, including federal collaboration, expert advisors, recruitment firms, and financial incentives. He criticizes the opposition's spending proposals as ineffective and irresponsible.
AnsweredQoN 34Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
TEACHERS - ATTRACTING TO COUNTRY AREAS
Can the minister advise the house of measures the government has taken to attract teachers to the country and is he aware of any other proposals? Mr M. McGOWAN
Can the minister advise the house of measures the government has taken to attract teachers to the country and is he aware of any other proposals? Mr M. McGOWAN
AnswerView source ↗
Even if members opposite do not, I regard the teaching profession as important and attracting teachers to our country areas as very important. I said yesterday that I have taken up the issue of attracting young teachers to the country with the federal Minister for Education, Science and Training, Hon Julie Bishop. Lance Twomey, the former vice-chancellor of Curtin University, has been appointed to advise this government on attracting teachers to the profession over a long time frame of 30 to 40 years. We are looking for a way forward on this significant issue. We have employed Gerard Daniels, an international recruitment firm, to give us advice on how to improve our recruitment practices in the short term. This will enable us to bring in the best practices from the private sector to deal with this issue. In addition, we have a range of measures in place to attract teachers to the country, including additional payments to teachers to go to those locations to which it is difficult to attract teachers. I am aware of other approaches that have been made on this matter and I am grateful to the member for asking me this question. I will put it in context. The opposition, particularly the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, regularly says that this government should cut public expenditure. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition says that on a regular basis and he also says that government spending is out of control, despite the fact that when the opposition was in government the budget was in deficit. We are in government and the budget is in surplus. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Bunbury should look this way when he is interjecting. I call the members for Bunbury and Vasse to order. Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition has called for public expenditure to be cut. However, the shadow Minister for Education and Training, Hon Peter Collier, recently came out and said there should be - Mr T. Buswell : Where have we called for public expenditure to be cut? Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition said that. Mr T. Buswell : No, I have not. Mr M. McGOWAN : The member has said it, and I will quote it. He said that there has been record buying with public expenditure - less with less. Mr T. Buswell : Where does it say “cut”? You were going to quote it to me. Read it. You come in here and stand up and lie. Read it out. Withdrawal of Remark Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Unfortunately, I had the displeasure of hearing the member for Vasse say that the minister on his feet was lying. The SPEAKER : I am sure that if that is the case the member for Vasse will take the first opportunity to withdraw. Mr T. BUSWELL : I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition is saying that the government is spending too much money and that taxes should be cut. A couple of weeks ago Hon Peter Collier said that we should pay, without negotiations or trade-offs, a 20 per cent increase in salaries to teachers. It would be a $1 billion increase in expenditure by the state government. What would that do to attract teachers to country locations? Not one single thing. If a teacher is paid as much to teach at Cottesloe Primary School, why would he or she go to Meekatharra Primary School? All we see from the opposition is incredibly irresponsible proposals that cause the taxpayers of this state great pain and would not solve a single problem.
Mr M. McGOWAN replied: Even if members opposite do not, I regard the teaching profession as important and attracting teachers to our country areas as very important. I said yesterday that I have taken up the issue of attracting young teachers to the country with the federal Minister for Education, Science and Training, Hon Julie Bishop. Lance Twomey, the former vice-chancellor of Curtin University, has been appointed to advise this government on attracting teachers to the profession over a long time frame of 30 to 40 years. We are looking for a way forward on this significant issue. We have employed Gerard Daniels, an international recruitment firm, to give us advice on how to improve our recruitment practices in the short term. This will enable us to bring in the best practices from the private sector to deal with this issue. In addition, we have a range of measures in place to attract teachers to the country, including additional payments to teachers to go to those locations to which it is difficult to attract teachers. I am aware of other approaches that have been made on this matter and I am grateful to the member for asking me this question. I will put it in context. The opposition, particularly the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, regularly says that this government should cut public expenditure. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition says that on a regular basis and he also says that government spending is out of control, despite the fact that when the opposition was in government the budget was in deficit. We are in government and the budget is in surplus. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Bunbury should look this way when he is interjecting. I call the members for Bunbury and Vasse to order. Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition has called for public expenditure to be cut. However, the shadow Minister for Education and Training, Hon Peter Collier, recently came out and said there should be - Mr T. Buswell : Where have we called for public expenditure to be cut? Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition said that. Mr T. Buswell : No, I have not. Mr M. McGOWAN : The member has said it, and I will quote it. He said that there has been record buying with public expenditure - less with less. Mr T. Buswell : Where does it say “cut”? You were going to quote it to me. Read it. You come in here and stand up and lie. Read it out. Withdrawal of Remark Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Unfortunately, I had the displeasure of hearing the member for Vasse say that the minister on his feet was lying. The SPEAKER : I am sure that if that is the case the member for Vasse will take the first opportunity to withdraw. Mr T. BUSWELL : I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition is saying that the government is spending too much money and that taxes should be cut. A couple of weeks ago Hon Peter Collier said that we should pay, without negotiations or trade-offs, a 20 per cent increase in salaries to teachers. It would be a $1 billion increase in expenditure by the state government. What would that do to attract teachers to country locations? Not one single thing. If a teacher is paid as much to teach at Cottesloe Primary School, why would he or she go to Meekatharra Primary School? All we see from the opposition is incredibly irresponsible proposals that cause the taxpayers of this state great pain and would not solve a single problem.
Even if members opposite do not, I regard the teaching profession as important and attracting teachers to our country areas as very important. I said yesterday that I have taken up the issue of attracting young teachers to the country with the federal Minister for Education, Science and Training, Hon Julie Bishop. Lance Twomey, the former vice-chancellor of Curtin University, has been appointed to advise this government on attracting teachers to the profession over a long time frame of 30 to 40 years. We are looking for a way forward on this significant issue. We have employed Gerard Daniels, an international recruitment firm, to give us advice on how to improve our recruitment practices in the short term. This will enable us to bring in the best practices from the private sector to deal with this issue. In addition, we have a range of measures in place to attract teachers to the country, including additional payments to teachers to go to those locations to which it is difficult to attract teachers. I am aware of other approaches that have been made on this matter and I am grateful to the member for asking me this question. I will put it in context. The opposition, particularly the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, regularly says that this government should cut public expenditure. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition says that on a regular basis and he also says that government spending is out of control, despite the fact that when the opposition was in government the budget was in deficit. We are in government and the budget is in surplus. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Bunbury should look this way when he is interjecting. I call the members for Bunbury and Vasse to order. Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition has called for public expenditure to be cut. However, the shadow Minister for Education and Training, Hon Peter Collier, recently came out and said there should be - Mr T. Buswell : Where have we called for public expenditure to be cut? Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition said that. Mr T. Buswell : No, I have not. Mr M. McGOWAN : The member has said it, and I will quote it. He said that there has been record buying with public expenditure - less with less. Mr T. Buswell : Where does it say “cut”? You were going to quote it to me. Read it. You come in here and stand up and lie. Read it out. Withdrawal of Remark Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Unfortunately, I had the displeasure of hearing the member for Vasse say that the minister on his feet was lying. The SPEAKER : I am sure that if that is the case the member for Vasse will take the first opportunity to withdraw. Mr T. BUSWELL : I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition is saying that the government is spending too much money and that taxes should be cut. A couple of weeks ago Hon Peter Collier said that we should pay, without negotiations or trade-offs, a 20 per cent increase in salaries to teachers. It would be a $1 billion increase in expenditure by the state government. What would that do to attract teachers to country locations? Not one single thing. If a teacher is paid as much to teach at Cottesloe Primary School, why would he or she go to Meekatharra Primary School? All we see from the opposition is incredibly irresponsible proposals that cause the taxpayers of this state great pain and would not solve a single problem.
Lance Twomey, the former vice-chancellor of Curtin University, has been appointed to advise this government on attracting teachers to the profession over a long time frame of 30 to 40 years. We are looking for a way forward on this significant issue. We have employed Gerard Daniels, an international recruitment firm, to give us advice on how to improve our recruitment practices in the short term. This will enable us to bring in the best practices from the private sector to deal with this issue. In addition, we have a range of measures in place to attract teachers to the country, including additional payments to teachers to go to those locations to which it is difficult to attract teachers. I am aware of other approaches that have been made on this matter and I am grateful to the member for asking me this question. I will put it in context. The opposition, particularly the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, regularly says that this government should cut public expenditure. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition says that on a regular basis and he also says that government spending is out of control, despite the fact that when the opposition was in government the budget was in deficit. We are in government and the budget is in surplus. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Bunbury should look this way when he is interjecting. I call the members for Bunbury and Vasse to order. Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition has called for public expenditure to be cut. However, the shadow Minister for Education and Training, Hon Peter Collier, recently came out and said there should be - Mr T. Buswell : Where have we called for public expenditure to be cut? Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition said that. Mr T. Buswell : No, I have not. Mr M. McGOWAN : The member has said it, and I will quote it. He said that there has been record buying with public expenditure - less with less. Mr T. Buswell : Where does it say “cut”? You were going to quote it to me. Read it. You come in here and stand up and lie. Read it out. Withdrawal of Remark Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Unfortunately, I had the displeasure of hearing the member for Vasse say that the minister on his feet was lying. The SPEAKER : I am sure that if that is the case the member for Vasse will take the first opportunity to withdraw. Mr T. BUSWELL : I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition is saying that the government is spending too much money and that taxes should be cut. A couple of weeks ago Hon Peter Collier said that we should pay, without negotiations or trade-offs, a 20 per cent increase in salaries to teachers. It would be a $1 billion increase in expenditure by the state government. What would that do to attract teachers to country locations? Not one single thing. If a teacher is paid as much to teach at Cottesloe Primary School, why would he or she go to Meekatharra Primary School? All we see from the opposition is incredibly irresponsible proposals that cause the taxpayers of this state great pain and would not solve a single problem.
In addition, we have a range of measures in place to attract teachers to the country, including additional payments to teachers to go to those locations to which it is difficult to attract teachers. I am aware of other approaches that have been made on this matter and I am grateful to the member for asking me this question. I will put it in context. The opposition, particularly the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, regularly says that this government should cut public expenditure. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition says that on a regular basis and he also says that government spending is out of control, despite the fact that when the opposition was in government the budget was in deficit. We are in government and the budget is in surplus. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Bunbury should look this way when he is interjecting. I call the members for Bunbury and Vasse to order. Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition has called for public expenditure to be cut. However, the shadow Minister for Education and Training, Hon Peter Collier, recently came out and said there should be - Mr T. Buswell : Where have we called for public expenditure to be cut? Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition said that. Mr T. Buswell : No, I have not. Mr M. McGOWAN : The member has said it, and I will quote it. He said that there has been record buying with public expenditure - less with less. Mr T. Buswell : Where does it say “cut”? You were going to quote it to me. Read it. You come in here and stand up and lie. Read it out. Withdrawal of Remark Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Unfortunately, I had the displeasure of hearing the member for Vasse say that the minister on his feet was lying. The SPEAKER : I am sure that if that is the case the member for Vasse will take the first opportunity to withdraw. Mr T. BUSWELL : I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition is saying that the government is spending too much money and that taxes should be cut. A couple of weeks ago Hon Peter Collier said that we should pay, without negotiations or trade-offs, a 20 per cent increase in salaries to teachers. It would be a $1 billion increase in expenditure by the state government. What would that do to attract teachers to country locations? Not one single thing. If a teacher is paid as much to teach at Cottesloe Primary School, why would he or she go to Meekatharra Primary School? All we see from the opposition is incredibly irresponsible proposals that cause the taxpayers of this state great pain and would not solve a single problem.
I am aware of other approaches that have been made on this matter and I am grateful to the member for asking me this question. I will put it in context. The opposition, particularly the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, regularly says that this government should cut public expenditure. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition says that on a regular basis and he also says that government spending is out of control, despite the fact that when the opposition was in government the budget was in deficit. We are in government and the budget is in surplus. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Bunbury should look this way when he is interjecting. I call the members for Bunbury and Vasse to order. Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition has called for public expenditure to be cut. However, the shadow Minister for Education and Training, Hon Peter Collier, recently came out and said there should be - Mr T. Buswell : Where have we called for public expenditure to be cut? Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition said that. Mr T. Buswell : No, I have not. Mr M. McGOWAN : The member has said it, and I will quote it. He said that there has been record buying with public expenditure - less with less. Mr T. Buswell : Where does it say “cut”? You were going to quote it to me. Read it. You come in here and stand up and lie. Read it out. Withdrawal of Remark Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Unfortunately, I had the displeasure of hearing the member for Vasse say that the minister on his feet was lying. The SPEAKER : I am sure that if that is the case the member for Vasse will take the first opportunity to withdraw. Mr T. BUSWELL : I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition is saying that the government is spending too much money and that taxes should be cut. A couple of weeks ago Hon Peter Collier said that we should pay, without negotiations or trade-offs, a 20 per cent increase in salaries to teachers. It would be a $1 billion increase in expenditure by the state government. What would that do to attract teachers to country locations? Not one single thing. If a teacher is paid as much to teach at Cottesloe Primary School, why would he or she go to Meekatharra Primary School? All we see from the opposition is incredibly irresponsible proposals that cause the taxpayers of this state great pain and would not solve a single problem.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Bunbury should look this way when he is interjecting. I call the members for Bunbury and Vasse to order. Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition has called for public expenditure to be cut. However, the shadow Minister for Education and Training, Hon Peter Collier, recently came out and said there should be - Mr T. Buswell : Where have we called for public expenditure to be cut? Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition said that. Mr T. Buswell : No, I have not. Mr M. McGOWAN : The member has said it, and I will quote it. He said that there has been record buying with public expenditure - less with less. Mr T. Buswell : Where does it say “cut”? You were going to quote it to me. Read it. You come in here and stand up and lie. Read it out. Withdrawal of Remark Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Unfortunately, I had the displeasure of hearing the member for Vasse say that the minister on his feet was lying. The SPEAKER : I am sure that if that is the case the member for Vasse will take the first opportunity to withdraw. Mr T. BUSWELL : I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition is saying that the government is spending too much money and that taxes should be cut. A couple of weeks ago Hon Peter Collier said that we should pay, without negotiations or trade-offs, a 20 per cent increase in salaries to teachers. It would be a $1 billion increase in expenditure by the state government. What would that do to attract teachers to country locations? Not one single thing. If a teacher is paid as much to teach at Cottesloe Primary School, why would he or she go to Meekatharra Primary School? All we see from the opposition is incredibly irresponsible proposals that cause the taxpayers of this state great pain and would not solve a single problem.
The SPEAKER : The member for Bunbury should look this way when he is interjecting. I call the members for Bunbury and Vasse to order. Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition has called for public expenditure to be cut. However, the shadow Minister for Education and Training, Hon Peter Collier, recently came out and said there should be - Mr T. Buswell : Where have we called for public expenditure to be cut? Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition said that. Mr T. Buswell : No, I have not. Mr M. McGOWAN : The member has said it, and I will quote it. He said that there has been record buying with public expenditure - less with less. Mr T. Buswell : Where does it say “cut”? You were going to quote it to me. Read it. You come in here and stand up and lie. Read it out. Withdrawal of Remark Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Unfortunately, I had the displeasure of hearing the member for Vasse say that the minister on his feet was lying. The SPEAKER : I am sure that if that is the case the member for Vasse will take the first opportunity to withdraw. Mr T. BUSWELL : I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition is saying that the government is spending too much money and that taxes should be cut. A couple of weeks ago Hon Peter Collier said that we should pay, without negotiations or trade-offs, a 20 per cent increase in salaries to teachers. It would be a $1 billion increase in expenditure by the state government. What would that do to attract teachers to country locations? Not one single thing. If a teacher is paid as much to teach at Cottesloe Primary School, why would he or she go to Meekatharra Primary School? All we see from the opposition is incredibly irresponsible proposals that cause the taxpayers of this state great pain and would not solve a single problem.
Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition has called for public expenditure to be cut. However, the shadow Minister for Education and Training, Hon Peter Collier, recently came out and said there should be - Mr T. Buswell : Where have we called for public expenditure to be cut? Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition said that. Mr T. Buswell : No, I have not. Mr M. McGOWAN : The member has said it, and I will quote it. He said that there has been record buying with public expenditure - less with less. Mr T. Buswell : Where does it say “cut”? You were going to quote it to me. Read it. You come in here and stand up and lie. Read it out. Withdrawal of Remark Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Unfortunately, I had the displeasure of hearing the member for Vasse say that the minister on his feet was lying. The SPEAKER : I am sure that if that is the case the member for Vasse will take the first opportunity to withdraw. Mr T. BUSWELL : I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition is saying that the government is spending too much money and that taxes should be cut. A couple of weeks ago Hon Peter Collier said that we should pay, without negotiations or trade-offs, a 20 per cent increase in salaries to teachers. It would be a $1 billion increase in expenditure by the state government. What would that do to attract teachers to country locations? Not one single thing. If a teacher is paid as much to teach at Cottesloe Primary School, why would he or she go to Meekatharra Primary School? All we see from the opposition is incredibly irresponsible proposals that cause the taxpayers of this state great pain and would not solve a single problem.
Mr T. Buswell : Where have we called for public expenditure to be cut? Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition said that. Mr T. Buswell : No, I have not. Mr M. McGOWAN : The member has said it, and I will quote it. He said that there has been record buying with public expenditure - less with less. Mr T. Buswell : Where does it say “cut”? You were going to quote it to me. Read it. You come in here and stand up and lie. Read it out. Withdrawal of Remark Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Unfortunately, I had the displeasure of hearing the member for Vasse say that the minister on his feet was lying. The SPEAKER : I am sure that if that is the case the member for Vasse will take the first opportunity to withdraw. Mr T. BUSWELL : I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition is saying that the government is spending too much money and that taxes should be cut. A couple of weeks ago Hon Peter Collier said that we should pay, without negotiations or trade-offs, a 20 per cent increase in salaries to teachers. It would be a $1 billion increase in expenditure by the state government. What would that do to attract teachers to country locations? Not one single thing. If a teacher is paid as much to teach at Cottesloe Primary School, why would he or she go to Meekatharra Primary School? All we see from the opposition is incredibly irresponsible proposals that cause the taxpayers of this state great pain and would not solve a single problem.
Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition said that. Mr T. Buswell : No, I have not. Mr M. McGOWAN : The member has said it, and I will quote it. He said that there has been record buying with public expenditure - less with less. Mr T. Buswell : Where does it say “cut”? You were going to quote it to me. Read it. You come in here and stand up and lie. Read it out. Withdrawal of Remark Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Unfortunately, I had the displeasure of hearing the member for Vasse say that the minister on his feet was lying. The SPEAKER : I am sure that if that is the case the member for Vasse will take the first opportunity to withdraw. Mr T. BUSWELL : I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition is saying that the government is spending too much money and that taxes should be cut. A couple of weeks ago Hon Peter Collier said that we should pay, without negotiations or trade-offs, a 20 per cent increase in salaries to teachers. It would be a $1 billion increase in expenditure by the state government. What would that do to attract teachers to country locations? Not one single thing. If a teacher is paid as much to teach at Cottesloe Primary School, why would he or she go to Meekatharra Primary School? All we see from the opposition is incredibly irresponsible proposals that cause the taxpayers of this state great pain and would not solve a single problem.
Mr T. Buswell : No, I have not. Mr M. McGOWAN : The member has said it, and I will quote it. He said that there has been record buying with public expenditure - less with less. Mr T. Buswell : Where does it say “cut”? You were going to quote it to me. Read it. You come in here and stand up and lie. Read it out. Withdrawal of Remark Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Unfortunately, I had the displeasure of hearing the member for Vasse say that the minister on his feet was lying. The SPEAKER : I am sure that if that is the case the member for Vasse will take the first opportunity to withdraw. Mr T. BUSWELL : I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition is saying that the government is spending too much money and that taxes should be cut. A couple of weeks ago Hon Peter Collier said that we should pay, without negotiations or trade-offs, a 20 per cent increase in salaries to teachers. It would be a $1 billion increase in expenditure by the state government. What would that do to attract teachers to country locations? Not one single thing. If a teacher is paid as much to teach at Cottesloe Primary School, why would he or she go to Meekatharra Primary School? All we see from the opposition is incredibly irresponsible proposals that cause the taxpayers of this state great pain and would not solve a single problem.
Mr M. McGOWAN : The member has said it, and I will quote it. He said that there has been record buying with public expenditure - less with less. Mr T. Buswell : Where does it say “cut”? You were going to quote it to me. Read it. You come in here and stand up and lie. Read it out. Withdrawal of Remark Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Unfortunately, I had the displeasure of hearing the member for Vasse say that the minister on his feet was lying. The SPEAKER : I am sure that if that is the case the member for Vasse will take the first opportunity to withdraw. Mr T. BUSWELL : I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition is saying that the government is spending too much money and that taxes should be cut. A couple of weeks ago Hon Peter Collier said that we should pay, without negotiations or trade-offs, a 20 per cent increase in salaries to teachers. It would be a $1 billion increase in expenditure by the state government. What would that do to attract teachers to country locations? Not one single thing. If a teacher is paid as much to teach at Cottesloe Primary School, why would he or she go to Meekatharra Primary School? All we see from the opposition is incredibly irresponsible proposals that cause the taxpayers of this state great pain and would not solve a single problem.
Mr T. Buswell : Where does it say “cut”? You were going to quote it to me. Read it. You come in here and stand up and lie. Read it out. Withdrawal of Remark Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Unfortunately, I had the displeasure of hearing the member for Vasse say that the minister on his feet was lying. The SPEAKER : I am sure that if that is the case the member for Vasse will take the first opportunity to withdraw. Mr T. BUSWELL : I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition is saying that the government is spending too much money and that taxes should be cut. A couple of weeks ago Hon Peter Collier said that we should pay, without negotiations or trade-offs, a 20 per cent increase in salaries to teachers. It would be a $1 billion increase in expenditure by the state government. What would that do to attract teachers to country locations? Not one single thing. If a teacher is paid as much to teach at Cottesloe Primary School, why would he or she go to Meekatharra Primary School? All we see from the opposition is incredibly irresponsible proposals that cause the taxpayers of this state great pain and would not solve a single problem.
The SPEAKER : I am sure that if that is the case the member for Vasse will take the first opportunity to withdraw. Mr T. BUSWELL : I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition is saying that the government is spending too much money and that taxes should be cut. A couple of weeks ago Hon Peter Collier said that we should pay, without negotiations or trade-offs, a 20 per cent increase in salaries to teachers. It would be a $1 billion increase in expenditure by the state government. What would that do to attract teachers to country locations? Not one single thing. If a teacher is paid as much to teach at Cottesloe Primary School, why would he or she go to Meekatharra Primary School? All we see from the opposition is incredibly irresponsible proposals that cause the taxpayers of this state great pain and would not solve a single problem.
Mr T. BUSWELL : I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition is saying that the government is spending too much money and that taxes should be cut. A couple of weeks ago Hon Peter Collier said that we should pay, without negotiations or trade-offs, a 20 per cent increase in salaries to teachers. It would be a $1 billion increase in expenditure by the state government. What would that do to attract teachers to country locations? Not one single thing. If a teacher is paid as much to teach at Cottesloe Primary School, why would he or she go to Meekatharra Primary School? All we see from the opposition is incredibly irresponsible proposals that cause the taxpayers of this state great pain and would not solve a single problem.
Mr M. McGOWAN replied: Even if members opposite do not, I regard the teaching profession as important and attracting teachers to our country areas as very important. I said yesterday that I have taken up the issue of attracting young teachers to the country with the federal Minister for Education, Science and Training, Hon Julie Bishop. Lance Twomey, the former vice-chancellor of Curtin University, has been appointed to advise this government on attracting teachers to the profession over a long time frame of 30 to 40 years. We are looking for a way forward on this significant issue. We have employed Gerard Daniels, an international recruitment firm, to give us advice on how to improve our recruitment practices in the short term. This will enable us to bring in the best practices from the private sector to deal with this issue. In addition, we have a range of measures in place to attract teachers to the country, including additional payments to teachers to go to those locations to which it is difficult to attract teachers. I am aware of other approaches that have been made on this matter and I am grateful to the member for asking me this question. I will put it in context. The opposition, particularly the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, regularly says that this government should cut public expenditure. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition says that on a regular basis and he also says that government spending is out of control, despite the fact that when the opposition was in government the budget was in deficit. We are in government and the budget is in surplus. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Bunbury should look this way when he is interjecting. I call the members for Bunbury and Vasse to order. Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition has called for public expenditure to be cut. However, the shadow Minister for Education and Training, Hon Peter Collier, recently came out and said there should be - Mr T. Buswell : Where have we called for public expenditure to be cut? Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition said that. Mr T. Buswell : No, I have not. Mr M. McGOWAN : The member has said it, and I will quote it. He said that there has been record buying with public expenditure - less with less. Mr T. Buswell : Where does it say “cut”? You were going to quote it to me. Read it. You come in here and stand up and lie. Read it out. Withdrawal of Remark Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Unfortunately, I had the displeasure of hearing the member for Vasse say that the minister on his feet was lying. The SPEAKER : I am sure that if that is the case the member for Vasse will take the first opportunity to withdraw. Mr T. BUSWELL : I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition is saying that the government is spending too much money and that taxes should be cut. A couple of weeks ago Hon Peter Collier said that we should pay, without negotiations or trade-offs, a 20 per cent increase in salaries to teachers. It would be a $1 billion increase in expenditure by the state government. What would that do to attract teachers to country locations? Not one single thing. If a teacher is paid as much to teach at Cottesloe Primary School, why would he or she go to Meekatharra Primary School? All we see from the opposition is incredibly irresponsible proposals that cause the taxpayers of this state great pain and would not solve a single problem.
Even if members opposite do not, I regard the teaching profession as important and attracting teachers to our country areas as very important. I said yesterday that I have taken up the issue of attracting young teachers to the country with the federal Minister for Education, Science and Training, Hon Julie Bishop. Lance Twomey, the former vice-chancellor of Curtin University, has been appointed to advise this government on attracting teachers to the profession over a long time frame of 30 to 40 years. We are looking for a way forward on this significant issue. We have employed Gerard Daniels, an international recruitment firm, to give us advice on how to improve our recruitment practices in the short term. This will enable us to bring in the best practices from the private sector to deal with this issue. In addition, we have a range of measures in place to attract teachers to the country, including additional payments to teachers to go to those locations to which it is difficult to attract teachers. I am aware of other approaches that have been made on this matter and I am grateful to the member for asking me this question. I will put it in context. The opposition, particularly the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, regularly says that this government should cut public expenditure. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition says that on a regular basis and he also says that government spending is out of control, despite the fact that when the opposition was in government the budget was in deficit. We are in government and the budget is in surplus. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Bunbury should look this way when he is interjecting. I call the members for Bunbury and Vasse to order. Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition has called for public expenditure to be cut. However, the shadow Minister for Education and Training, Hon Peter Collier, recently came out and said there should be - Mr T. Buswell : Where have we called for public expenditure to be cut? Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition said that. Mr T. Buswell : No, I have not. Mr M. McGOWAN : The member has said it, and I will quote it. He said that there has been record buying with public expenditure - less with less. Mr T. Buswell : Where does it say “cut”? You were going to quote it to me. Read it. You come in here and stand up and lie. Read it out. Withdrawal of Remark Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Unfortunately, I had the displeasure of hearing the member for Vasse say that the minister on his feet was lying. The SPEAKER : I am sure that if that is the case the member for Vasse will take the first opportunity to withdraw. Mr T. BUSWELL : I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition is saying that the government is spending too much money and that taxes should be cut. A couple of weeks ago Hon Peter Collier said that we should pay, without negotiations or trade-offs, a 20 per cent increase in salaries to teachers. It would be a $1 billion increase in expenditure by the state government. What would that do to attract teachers to country locations? Not one single thing. If a teacher is paid as much to teach at Cottesloe Primary School, why would he or she go to Meekatharra Primary School? All we see from the opposition is incredibly irresponsible proposals that cause the taxpayers of this state great pain and would not solve a single problem.
Lance Twomey, the former vice-chancellor of Curtin University, has been appointed to advise this government on attracting teachers to the profession over a long time frame of 30 to 40 years. We are looking for a way forward on this significant issue. We have employed Gerard Daniels, an international recruitment firm, to give us advice on how to improve our recruitment practices in the short term. This will enable us to bring in the best practices from the private sector to deal with this issue. In addition, we have a range of measures in place to attract teachers to the country, including additional payments to teachers to go to those locations to which it is difficult to attract teachers. I am aware of other approaches that have been made on this matter and I am grateful to the member for asking me this question. I will put it in context. The opposition, particularly the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, regularly says that this government should cut public expenditure. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition says that on a regular basis and he also says that government spending is out of control, despite the fact that when the opposition was in government the budget was in deficit. We are in government and the budget is in surplus. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Bunbury should look this way when he is interjecting. I call the members for Bunbury and Vasse to order. Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition has called for public expenditure to be cut. However, the shadow Minister for Education and Training, Hon Peter Collier, recently came out and said there should be - Mr T. Buswell : Where have we called for public expenditure to be cut? Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition said that. Mr T. Buswell : No, I have not. Mr M. McGOWAN : The member has said it, and I will quote it. He said that there has been record buying with public expenditure - less with less. Mr T. Buswell : Where does it say “cut”? You were going to quote it to me. Read it. You come in here and stand up and lie. Read it out. Withdrawal of Remark Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Unfortunately, I had the displeasure of hearing the member for Vasse say that the minister on his feet was lying. The SPEAKER : I am sure that if that is the case the member for Vasse will take the first opportunity to withdraw. Mr T. BUSWELL : I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition is saying that the government is spending too much money and that taxes should be cut. A couple of weeks ago Hon Peter Collier said that we should pay, without negotiations or trade-offs, a 20 per cent increase in salaries to teachers. It would be a $1 billion increase in expenditure by the state government. What would that do to attract teachers to country locations? Not one single thing. If a teacher is paid as much to teach at Cottesloe Primary School, why would he or she go to Meekatharra Primary School? All we see from the opposition is incredibly irresponsible proposals that cause the taxpayers of this state great pain and would not solve a single problem.
In addition, we have a range of measures in place to attract teachers to the country, including additional payments to teachers to go to those locations to which it is difficult to attract teachers. I am aware of other approaches that have been made on this matter and I am grateful to the member for asking me this question. I will put it in context. The opposition, particularly the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, regularly says that this government should cut public expenditure. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition says that on a regular basis and he also says that government spending is out of control, despite the fact that when the opposition was in government the budget was in deficit. We are in government and the budget is in surplus. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Bunbury should look this way when he is interjecting. I call the members for Bunbury and Vasse to order. Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition has called for public expenditure to be cut. However, the shadow Minister for Education and Training, Hon Peter Collier, recently came out and said there should be - Mr T. Buswell : Where have we called for public expenditure to be cut? Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition said that. Mr T. Buswell : No, I have not. Mr M. McGOWAN : The member has said it, and I will quote it. He said that there has been record buying with public expenditure - less with less. Mr T. Buswell : Where does it say “cut”? You were going to quote it to me. Read it. You come in here and stand up and lie. Read it out. Withdrawal of Remark Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Unfortunately, I had the displeasure of hearing the member for Vasse say that the minister on his feet was lying. The SPEAKER : I am sure that if that is the case the member for Vasse will take the first opportunity to withdraw. Mr T. BUSWELL : I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition is saying that the government is spending too much money and that taxes should be cut. A couple of weeks ago Hon Peter Collier said that we should pay, without negotiations or trade-offs, a 20 per cent increase in salaries to teachers. It would be a $1 billion increase in expenditure by the state government. What would that do to attract teachers to country locations? Not one single thing. If a teacher is paid as much to teach at Cottesloe Primary School, why would he or she go to Meekatharra Primary School? All we see from the opposition is incredibly irresponsible proposals that cause the taxpayers of this state great pain and would not solve a single problem.
I am aware of other approaches that have been made on this matter and I am grateful to the member for asking me this question. I will put it in context. The opposition, particularly the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, regularly says that this government should cut public expenditure. The Deputy Leader of the Opposition says that on a regular basis and he also says that government spending is out of control, despite the fact that when the opposition was in government the budget was in deficit. We are in government and the budget is in surplus. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Bunbury should look this way when he is interjecting. I call the members for Bunbury and Vasse to order. Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition has called for public expenditure to be cut. However, the shadow Minister for Education and Training, Hon Peter Collier, recently came out and said there should be - Mr T. Buswell : Where have we called for public expenditure to be cut? Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition said that. Mr T. Buswell : No, I have not. Mr M. McGOWAN : The member has said it, and I will quote it. He said that there has been record buying with public expenditure - less with less. Mr T. Buswell : Where does it say “cut”? You were going to quote it to me. Read it. You come in here and stand up and lie. Read it out. Withdrawal of Remark Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Unfortunately, I had the displeasure of hearing the member for Vasse say that the minister on his feet was lying. The SPEAKER : I am sure that if that is the case the member for Vasse will take the first opportunity to withdraw. Mr T. BUSWELL : I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition is saying that the government is spending too much money and that taxes should be cut. A couple of weeks ago Hon Peter Collier said that we should pay, without negotiations or trade-offs, a 20 per cent increase in salaries to teachers. It would be a $1 billion increase in expenditure by the state government. What would that do to attract teachers to country locations? Not one single thing. If a teacher is paid as much to teach at Cottesloe Primary School, why would he or she go to Meekatharra Primary School? All we see from the opposition is incredibly irresponsible proposals that cause the taxpayers of this state great pain and would not solve a single problem.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : The member for Bunbury should look this way when he is interjecting. I call the members for Bunbury and Vasse to order. Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition has called for public expenditure to be cut. However, the shadow Minister for Education and Training, Hon Peter Collier, recently came out and said there should be - Mr T. Buswell : Where have we called for public expenditure to be cut? Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition said that. Mr T. Buswell : No, I have not. Mr M. McGOWAN : The member has said it, and I will quote it. He said that there has been record buying with public expenditure - less with less. Mr T. Buswell : Where does it say “cut”? You were going to quote it to me. Read it. You come in here and stand up and lie. Read it out. Withdrawal of Remark Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Unfortunately, I had the displeasure of hearing the member for Vasse say that the minister on his feet was lying. The SPEAKER : I am sure that if that is the case the member for Vasse will take the first opportunity to withdraw. Mr T. BUSWELL : I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition is saying that the government is spending too much money and that taxes should be cut. A couple of weeks ago Hon Peter Collier said that we should pay, without negotiations or trade-offs, a 20 per cent increase in salaries to teachers. It would be a $1 billion increase in expenditure by the state government. What would that do to attract teachers to country locations? Not one single thing. If a teacher is paid as much to teach at Cottesloe Primary School, why would he or she go to Meekatharra Primary School? All we see from the opposition is incredibly irresponsible proposals that cause the taxpayers of this state great pain and would not solve a single problem.
The SPEAKER : The member for Bunbury should look this way when he is interjecting. I call the members for Bunbury and Vasse to order. Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition has called for public expenditure to be cut. However, the shadow Minister for Education and Training, Hon Peter Collier, recently came out and said there should be - Mr T. Buswell : Where have we called for public expenditure to be cut? Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition said that. Mr T. Buswell : No, I have not. Mr M. McGOWAN : The member has said it, and I will quote it. He said that there has been record buying with public expenditure - less with less. Mr T. Buswell : Where does it say “cut”? You were going to quote it to me. Read it. You come in here and stand up and lie. Read it out. Withdrawal of Remark Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Unfortunately, I had the displeasure of hearing the member for Vasse say that the minister on his feet was lying. The SPEAKER : I am sure that if that is the case the member for Vasse will take the first opportunity to withdraw. Mr T. BUSWELL : I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition is saying that the government is spending too much money and that taxes should be cut. A couple of weeks ago Hon Peter Collier said that we should pay, without negotiations or trade-offs, a 20 per cent increase in salaries to teachers. It would be a $1 billion increase in expenditure by the state government. What would that do to attract teachers to country locations? Not one single thing. If a teacher is paid as much to teach at Cottesloe Primary School, why would he or she go to Meekatharra Primary School? All we see from the opposition is incredibly irresponsible proposals that cause the taxpayers of this state great pain and would not solve a single problem.
Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition has called for public expenditure to be cut. However, the shadow Minister for Education and Training, Hon Peter Collier, recently came out and said there should be - Mr T. Buswell : Where have we called for public expenditure to be cut? Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition said that. Mr T. Buswell : No, I have not. Mr M. McGOWAN : The member has said it, and I will quote it. He said that there has been record buying with public expenditure - less with less. Mr T. Buswell : Where does it say “cut”? You were going to quote it to me. Read it. You come in here and stand up and lie. Read it out. Withdrawal of Remark Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Unfortunately, I had the displeasure of hearing the member for Vasse say that the minister on his feet was lying. The SPEAKER : I am sure that if that is the case the member for Vasse will take the first opportunity to withdraw. Mr T. BUSWELL : I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition is saying that the government is spending too much money and that taxes should be cut. A couple of weeks ago Hon Peter Collier said that we should pay, without negotiations or trade-offs, a 20 per cent increase in salaries to teachers. It would be a $1 billion increase in expenditure by the state government. What would that do to attract teachers to country locations? Not one single thing. If a teacher is paid as much to teach at Cottesloe Primary School, why would he or she go to Meekatharra Primary School? All we see from the opposition is incredibly irresponsible proposals that cause the taxpayers of this state great pain and would not solve a single problem.
Mr T. Buswell : Where have we called for public expenditure to be cut? Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition said that. Mr T. Buswell : No, I have not. Mr M. McGOWAN : The member has said it, and I will quote it. He said that there has been record buying with public expenditure - less with less. Mr T. Buswell : Where does it say “cut”? You were going to quote it to me. Read it. You come in here and stand up and lie. Read it out. Withdrawal of Remark Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Unfortunately, I had the displeasure of hearing the member for Vasse say that the minister on his feet was lying. The SPEAKER : I am sure that if that is the case the member for Vasse will take the first opportunity to withdraw. Mr T. BUSWELL : I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition is saying that the government is spending too much money and that taxes should be cut. A couple of weeks ago Hon Peter Collier said that we should pay, without negotiations or trade-offs, a 20 per cent increase in salaries to teachers. It would be a $1 billion increase in expenditure by the state government. What would that do to attract teachers to country locations? Not one single thing. If a teacher is paid as much to teach at Cottesloe Primary School, why would he or she go to Meekatharra Primary School? All we see from the opposition is incredibly irresponsible proposals that cause the taxpayers of this state great pain and would not solve a single problem.
Mr M. McGOWAN : The Deputy Leader of the Opposition said that. Mr T. Buswell : No, I have not. Mr M. McGOWAN : The member has said it, and I will quote it. He said that there has been record buying with public expenditure - less with less. Mr T. Buswell : Where does it say “cut”? You were going to quote it to me. Read it. You come in here and stand up and lie. Read it out. Withdrawal of Remark Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Unfortunately, I had the displeasure of hearing the member for Vasse say that the minister on his feet was lying. The SPEAKER : I am sure that if that is the case the member for Vasse will take the first opportunity to withdraw. Mr T. BUSWELL : I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition is saying that the government is spending too much money and that taxes should be cut. A couple of weeks ago Hon Peter Collier said that we should pay, without negotiations or trade-offs, a 20 per cent increase in salaries to teachers. It would be a $1 billion increase in expenditure by the state government. What would that do to attract teachers to country locations? Not one single thing. If a teacher is paid as much to teach at Cottesloe Primary School, why would he or she go to Meekatharra Primary School? All we see from the opposition is incredibly irresponsible proposals that cause the taxpayers of this state great pain and would not solve a single problem.
Mr T. Buswell : No, I have not. Mr M. McGOWAN : The member has said it, and I will quote it. He said that there has been record buying with public expenditure - less with less. Mr T. Buswell : Where does it say “cut”? You were going to quote it to me. Read it. You come in here and stand up and lie. Read it out. Withdrawal of Remark Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Unfortunately, I had the displeasure of hearing the member for Vasse say that the minister on his feet was lying. The SPEAKER : I am sure that if that is the case the member for Vasse will take the first opportunity to withdraw. Mr T. BUSWELL : I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition is saying that the government is spending too much money and that taxes should be cut. A couple of weeks ago Hon Peter Collier said that we should pay, without negotiations or trade-offs, a 20 per cent increase in salaries to teachers. It would be a $1 billion increase in expenditure by the state government. What would that do to attract teachers to country locations? Not one single thing. If a teacher is paid as much to teach at Cottesloe Primary School, why would he or she go to Meekatharra Primary School? All we see from the opposition is incredibly irresponsible proposals that cause the taxpayers of this state great pain and would not solve a single problem.
Mr M. McGOWAN : The member has said it, and I will quote it. He said that there has been record buying with public expenditure - less with less. Mr T. Buswell : Where does it say “cut”? You were going to quote it to me. Read it. You come in here and stand up and lie. Read it out. Withdrawal of Remark Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Unfortunately, I had the displeasure of hearing the member for Vasse say that the minister on his feet was lying. The SPEAKER : I am sure that if that is the case the member for Vasse will take the first opportunity to withdraw. Mr T. BUSWELL : I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition is saying that the government is spending too much money and that taxes should be cut. A couple of weeks ago Hon Peter Collier said that we should pay, without negotiations or trade-offs, a 20 per cent increase in salaries to teachers. It would be a $1 billion increase in expenditure by the state government. What would that do to attract teachers to country locations? Not one single thing. If a teacher is paid as much to teach at Cottesloe Primary School, why would he or she go to Meekatharra Primary School? All we see from the opposition is incredibly irresponsible proposals that cause the taxpayers of this state great pain and would not solve a single problem.
Mr T. Buswell : Where does it say “cut”? You were going to quote it to me. Read it. You come in here and stand up and lie. Read it out. Withdrawal of Remark Mr A.J. CARPENTER : Unfortunately, I had the displeasure of hearing the member for Vasse say that the minister on his feet was lying. The SPEAKER : I am sure that if that is the case the member for Vasse will take the first opportunity to withdraw. Mr T. BUSWELL : I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition is saying that the government is spending too much money and that taxes should be cut. A couple of weeks ago Hon Peter Collier said that we should pay, without negotiations or trade-offs, a 20 per cent increase in salaries to teachers. It would be a $1 billion increase in expenditure by the state government. What would that do to attract teachers to country locations? Not one single thing. If a teacher is paid as much to teach at Cottesloe Primary School, why would he or she go to Meekatharra Primary School? All we see from the opposition is incredibly irresponsible proposals that cause the taxpayers of this state great pain and would not solve a single problem.
The SPEAKER : I am sure that if that is the case the member for Vasse will take the first opportunity to withdraw. Mr T. BUSWELL : I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition is saying that the government is spending too much money and that taxes should be cut. A couple of weeks ago Hon Peter Collier said that we should pay, without negotiations or trade-offs, a 20 per cent increase in salaries to teachers. It would be a $1 billion increase in expenditure by the state government. What would that do to attract teachers to country locations? Not one single thing. If a teacher is paid as much to teach at Cottesloe Primary School, why would he or she go to Meekatharra Primary School? All we see from the opposition is incredibly irresponsible proposals that cause the taxpayers of this state great pain and would not solve a single problem.
Mr T. BUSWELL : I withdraw. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr M. McGOWAN : The opposition is saying that the government is spending too much money and that taxes should be cut. A couple of weeks ago Hon Peter Collier said that we should pay, without negotiations or trade-offs, a 20 per cent increase in salaries to teachers. It would be a $1 billion increase in expenditure by the state government. What would that do to attract teachers to country locations? Not one single thing. If a teacher is paid as much to teach at Cottesloe Primary School, why would he or she go to Meekatharra Primary School? All we see from the opposition is incredibly irresponsible proposals that cause the taxpayers of this state great pain and would not solve a single problem.
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