❓ Hon Sue Ellery questions the Minister for Education about advising parents regarding potential cuts to kindergarten funding from the federal government. The Minister assures that the state is advocating for continued funding and will advise school communities after an upcoming Education Council meeting.
AnsweredQoN 738Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
KINDERGARTEN
— FEDERAL FUNDING
738. Hon
SUE ELLERY to the Minister for Education:
What steps has the department taken to advise parents of
children who will be four years old in 2015 that the number of hours of
kindergarten available in 2015 is not certain, which would enable those parents
to investigate alternative options in the event that funding is reduced as a
result of the federal Liberal government's proposed cuts to funding for
universal access?
— FEDERAL FUNDING
738. Hon
SUE ELLERY to the Minister for Education:
What steps has the department taken to advise parents of
children who will be four years old in 2015 that the number of hours of
kindergarten available in 2015 is not certain, which would enable those parents
to investigate alternative options in the event that funding is reduced as a
result of the federal Liberal government's proposed cuts to funding for
universal access?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question. This has been discussed at a number of ministerial council meetings.
Before I give my response, I say that every state and territory minister to a
man or woman has prosecuted the argument for the continuation of universal suffrage
quite vocally, including me.
Hon Sue Ellery : Parents will have to make
alternative arrangements sooner rather than later.
Hon PETER COLLIER : I am conscious of that, but we can
do only so much from this end. I have been to several ministerial council meetings
over the past 12 months.
Hon Sue Ellery : I am sure you have, but it is about
giving parents appropriate notice if they have to think about alternative
arrangements.
Hon PETER COLLIER : As I said to the honourable member, I
will give my response. I gave a preliminary comment to give some background to
the fact that a significant amount of debate and dialogue has taken place. In
fact, I wrote to the minister just recently to voice my opinions yet again.
This matter is due to be discussed at the Education Council
meeting to be held on Friday, 15 August 2014. Western Australia is strongly
advocating for the continuation of commonwealth funding for the additional four
hours of kindergarten. As soon as the outcome of this meeting is known, school
communities will be advised.
As I said, until we
get certainty from the federal government— we are not sure it will fund those
additional four hours for universal access—we simply cannot provide any
more clarity to parents. I understand the concerns of parents and school
communities. We are doing all we
can at a state level to ensure that the federal government meets its
obligations with universal access.
question. This has been discussed at a number of ministerial council meetings.
Before I give my response, I say that every state and territory minister to a
man or woman has prosecuted the argument for the continuation of universal suffrage
quite vocally, including me.
Hon Sue Ellery : Parents will have to make
alternative arrangements sooner rather than later.
Hon PETER COLLIER : I am conscious of that, but we can
do only so much from this end. I have been to several ministerial council meetings
over the past 12 months.
Hon Sue Ellery : I am sure you have, but it is about
giving parents appropriate notice if they have to think about alternative
arrangements.
Hon PETER COLLIER : As I said to the honourable member, I
will give my response. I gave a preliminary comment to give some background to
the fact that a significant amount of debate and dialogue has taken place. In
fact, I wrote to the minister just recently to voice my opinions yet again.
This matter is due to be discussed at the Education Council
meeting to be held on Friday, 15 August 2014. Western Australia is strongly
advocating for the continuation of commonwealth funding for the additional four
hours of kindergarten. As soon as the outcome of this meeting is known, school
communities will be advised.
As I said, until we
get certainty from the federal government— we are not sure it will fund those
additional four hours for universal access—we simply cannot provide any
more clarity to parents. I understand the concerns of parents and school
communities. We are doing all we
can at a state level to ensure that the federal government meets its
obligations with universal access.
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