❓ Opposition questions Education Minister about budget overruns and impact of Labor's school fees policy. Minister deflects, accuses opposition of hypocrisy, and defends the government's education funding decisions.
AnsweredQoN 376Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the minister’s repeated refusal to table information regarding the level of fee collection in schools this year compared with that of the previous two years. The Premier laughs. It is true - the minister has not tabled the information. (1) Can the minister confirm that the education sector is running well over budget, currently to the tune of more than $20 million? (2) What percentage of this blow-out is the result of having to compensate schools for lost fee income as a result of Labor’s school fees policy? (3) As the school year is almost complete, will the minister now provide the information and reveal the true impact of Labor’s school fees policy? (4) If no to (3), what is the minister trying to hide? Mr M. McGowan: Don’t hold back, Alan! Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
I know some members of the Opposition enjoy it because they tell me to keep it up. They say, “Whatever you do, keep going at them.” (1)-(4) I thank the member for Darling Range for the question, and I recognise the legitimacy of the inquiry. I have not deliberately refused to provide information. I have always maintained the position that when I have adequate information that is meaningful, I will provide it to the member for Darling Range. That is the case. Mr J.H.D. Day: It is almost the end of the school year. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No, it is not. There are still a few weeks to go. Mr J.H.D. Day: When will it be? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I will make the inquiry with the Department of Education this afternoon and try to provide some appropriate advice concerning a date, whether or not it is when Parliament is sitting. I have absolutely nothing to hide. I want to make something clear: when we were in election mode, as part of our policy - it is long-standing Labor Party policy - we made a commitment that school fees would be non-compulsory in the compulsory years of schooling. We were elected. In contrast to the scenario outlined by the Minister for Small Business concerning the activities of the previous Government, we fully intended, when elected, to honour our promises. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
(1) Can the minister confirm that the education sector is running well over budget, currently to the tune of more than $20 million? (2) What percentage of this blow-out is the result of having to compensate schools for lost fee income as a result of Labor’s school fees policy? (3) As the school year is almost complete, will the minister now provide the information and reveal the true impact of Labor’s school fees policy? (4) If no to (3), what is the minister trying to hide? Mr M. McGowan: Don’t hold back, Alan! Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I know some members of the Opposition enjoy it because they tell me to keep it up. They say, “Whatever you do, keep going at them.” (1)-(4) I thank the member for Darling Range for the question, and I recognise the legitimacy of the inquiry. I have not deliberately refused to provide information. I have always maintained the position that when I have adequate information that is meaningful, I will provide it to the member for Darling Range. That is the case. Mr J.H.D. Day: It is almost the end of the school year. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No, it is not. There are still a few weeks to go. Mr J.H.D. Day: When will it be? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I will make the inquiry with the Department of Education this afternoon and try to provide some appropriate advice concerning a date, whether or not it is when Parliament is sitting. I have absolutely nothing to hide. I want to make something clear: when we were in election mode, as part of our policy - it is long-standing Labor Party policy - we made a commitment that school fees would be non-compulsory in the compulsory years of schooling. We were elected. In contrast to the scenario outlined by the Minister for Small Business concerning the activities of the previous Government, we fully intended, when elected, to honour our promises. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
(2) What percentage of this blow-out is the result of having to compensate schools for lost fee income as a result of Labor’s school fees policy? (3) As the school year is almost complete, will the minister now provide the information and reveal the true impact of Labor’s school fees policy? (4) If no to (3), what is the minister trying to hide? Mr M. McGowan: Don’t hold back, Alan! Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I know some members of the Opposition enjoy it because they tell me to keep it up. They say, “Whatever you do, keep going at them.” (1)-(4) I thank the member for Darling Range for the question, and I recognise the legitimacy of the inquiry. I have not deliberately refused to provide information. I have always maintained the position that when I have adequate information that is meaningful, I will provide it to the member for Darling Range. That is the case. Mr J.H.D. Day: It is almost the end of the school year. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No, it is not. There are still a few weeks to go. Mr J.H.D. Day: When will it be? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I will make the inquiry with the Department of Education this afternoon and try to provide some appropriate advice concerning a date, whether or not it is when Parliament is sitting. I have absolutely nothing to hide. I want to make something clear: when we were in election mode, as part of our policy - it is long-standing Labor Party policy - we made a commitment that school fees would be non-compulsory in the compulsory years of schooling. We were elected. In contrast to the scenario outlined by the Minister for Small Business concerning the activities of the previous Government, we fully intended, when elected, to honour our promises. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
(3) As the school year is almost complete, will the minister now provide the information and reveal the true impact of Labor’s school fees policy? (4) If no to (3), what is the minister trying to hide? Mr M. McGowan: Don’t hold back, Alan! Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I know some members of the Opposition enjoy it because they tell me to keep it up. They say, “Whatever you do, keep going at them.” (1)-(4) I thank the member for Darling Range for the question, and I recognise the legitimacy of the inquiry. I have not deliberately refused to provide information. I have always maintained the position that when I have adequate information that is meaningful, I will provide it to the member for Darling Range. That is the case. Mr J.H.D. Day: It is almost the end of the school year. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No, it is not. There are still a few weeks to go. Mr J.H.D. Day: When will it be? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I will make the inquiry with the Department of Education this afternoon and try to provide some appropriate advice concerning a date, whether or not it is when Parliament is sitting. I have absolutely nothing to hide. I want to make something clear: when we were in election mode, as part of our policy - it is long-standing Labor Party policy - we made a commitment that school fees would be non-compulsory in the compulsory years of schooling. We were elected. In contrast to the scenario outlined by the Minister for Small Business concerning the activities of the previous Government, we fully intended, when elected, to honour our promises. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
(4) If no to (3), what is the minister trying to hide? Mr M. McGowan: Don’t hold back, Alan! Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I know some members of the Opposition enjoy it because they tell me to keep it up. They say, “Whatever you do, keep going at them.” (1)-(4) I thank the member for Darling Range for the question, and I recognise the legitimacy of the inquiry. I have not deliberately refused to provide information. I have always maintained the position that when I have adequate information that is meaningful, I will provide it to the member for Darling Range. That is the case. Mr J.H.D. Day: It is almost the end of the school year. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No, it is not. There are still a few weeks to go. Mr J.H.D. Day: When will it be? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I will make the inquiry with the Department of Education this afternoon and try to provide some appropriate advice concerning a date, whether or not it is when Parliament is sitting. I have absolutely nothing to hide. I want to make something clear: when we were in election mode, as part of our policy - it is long-standing Labor Party policy - we made a commitment that school fees would be non-compulsory in the compulsory years of schooling. We were elected. In contrast to the scenario outlined by the Minister for Small Business concerning the activities of the previous Government, we fully intended, when elected, to honour our promises. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Mr M. McGowan: Don’t hold back, Alan! Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I know some members of the Opposition enjoy it because they tell me to keep it up. They say, “Whatever you do, keep going at them.” (1)-(4) I thank the member for Darling Range for the question, and I recognise the legitimacy of the inquiry. I have not deliberately refused to provide information. I have always maintained the position that when I have adequate information that is meaningful, I will provide it to the member for Darling Range. That is the case. Mr J.H.D. Day: It is almost the end of the school year. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No, it is not. There are still a few weeks to go. Mr J.H.D. Day: When will it be? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I will make the inquiry with the Department of Education this afternoon and try to provide some appropriate advice concerning a date, whether or not it is when Parliament is sitting. I have absolutely nothing to hide. I want to make something clear: when we were in election mode, as part of our policy - it is long-standing Labor Party policy - we made a commitment that school fees would be non-compulsory in the compulsory years of schooling. We were elected. In contrast to the scenario outlined by the Minister for Small Business concerning the activities of the previous Government, we fully intended, when elected, to honour our promises. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I know some members of the Opposition enjoy it because they tell me to keep it up. They say, “Whatever you do, keep going at them.” (1)-(4) I thank the member for Darling Range for the question, and I recognise the legitimacy of the inquiry. I have not deliberately refused to provide information. I have always maintained the position that when I have adequate information that is meaningful, I will provide it to the member for Darling Range. That is the case. Mr J.H.D. Day: It is almost the end of the school year. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No, it is not. There are still a few weeks to go. Mr J.H.D. Day: When will it be? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I will make the inquiry with the Department of Education this afternoon and try to provide some appropriate advice concerning a date, whether or not it is when Parliament is sitting. I have absolutely nothing to hide. I want to make something clear: when we were in election mode, as part of our policy - it is long-standing Labor Party policy - we made a commitment that school fees would be non-compulsory in the compulsory years of schooling. We were elected. In contrast to the scenario outlined by the Minister for Small Business concerning the activities of the previous Government, we fully intended, when elected, to honour our promises. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I know some members of the Opposition enjoy it because they tell me to keep it up. They say, “Whatever you do, keep going at them.” (1)-(4) I thank the member for Darling Range for the question, and I recognise the legitimacy of the inquiry. I have not deliberately refused to provide information. I have always maintained the position that when I have adequate information that is meaningful, I will provide it to the member for Darling Range. That is the case. Mr J.H.D. Day: It is almost the end of the school year. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No, it is not. There are still a few weeks to go. Mr J.H.D. Day: When will it be? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I will make the inquiry with the Department of Education this afternoon and try to provide some appropriate advice concerning a date, whether or not it is when Parliament is sitting. I have absolutely nothing to hide. I want to make something clear: when we were in election mode, as part of our policy - it is long-standing Labor Party policy - we made a commitment that school fees would be non-compulsory in the compulsory years of schooling. We were elected. In contrast to the scenario outlined by the Minister for Small Business concerning the activities of the previous Government, we fully intended, when elected, to honour our promises. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
I know some members of the Opposition enjoy it because they tell me to keep it up. They say, “Whatever you do, keep going at them.” (1)-(4) I thank the member for Darling Range for the question, and I recognise the legitimacy of the inquiry. I have not deliberately refused to provide information. I have always maintained the position that when I have adequate information that is meaningful, I will provide it to the member for Darling Range. That is the case. Mr J.H.D. Day: It is almost the end of the school year. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No, it is not. There are still a few weeks to go. Mr J.H.D. Day: When will it be? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I will make the inquiry with the Department of Education this afternoon and try to provide some appropriate advice concerning a date, whether or not it is when Parliament is sitting. I have absolutely nothing to hide. I want to make something clear: when we were in election mode, as part of our policy - it is long-standing Labor Party policy - we made a commitment that school fees would be non-compulsory in the compulsory years of schooling. We were elected. In contrast to the scenario outlined by the Minister for Small Business concerning the activities of the previous Government, we fully intended, when elected, to honour our promises. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
(1)-(4) I thank the member for Darling Range for the question, and I recognise the legitimacy of the inquiry. I have not deliberately refused to provide information. I have always maintained the position that when I have adequate information that is meaningful, I will provide it to the member for Darling Range. That is the case. Mr J.H.D. Day: It is almost the end of the school year. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No, it is not. There are still a few weeks to go. Mr J.H.D. Day: When will it be? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I will make the inquiry with the Department of Education this afternoon and try to provide some appropriate advice concerning a date, whether or not it is when Parliament is sitting. I have absolutely nothing to hide. I want to make something clear: when we were in election mode, as part of our policy - it is long-standing Labor Party policy - we made a commitment that school fees would be non-compulsory in the compulsory years of schooling. We were elected. In contrast to the scenario outlined by the Minister for Small Business concerning the activities of the previous Government, we fully intended, when elected, to honour our promises. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Mr J.H.D. Day: It is almost the end of the school year. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No, it is not. There are still a few weeks to go. Mr J.H.D. Day: When will it be? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I will make the inquiry with the Department of Education this afternoon and try to provide some appropriate advice concerning a date, whether or not it is when Parliament is sitting. I have absolutely nothing to hide. I want to make something clear: when we were in election mode, as part of our policy - it is long-standing Labor Party policy - we made a commitment that school fees would be non-compulsory in the compulsory years of schooling. We were elected. In contrast to the scenario outlined by the Minister for Small Business concerning the activities of the previous Government, we fully intended, when elected, to honour our promises. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No, it is not. There are still a few weeks to go. Mr J.H.D. Day: When will it be? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I will make the inquiry with the Department of Education this afternoon and try to provide some appropriate advice concerning a date, whether or not it is when Parliament is sitting. I have absolutely nothing to hide. I want to make something clear: when we were in election mode, as part of our policy - it is long-standing Labor Party policy - we made a commitment that school fees would be non-compulsory in the compulsory years of schooling. We were elected. In contrast to the scenario outlined by the Minister for Small Business concerning the activities of the previous Government, we fully intended, when elected, to honour our promises. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Mr J.H.D. Day: When will it be? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I will make the inquiry with the Department of Education this afternoon and try to provide some appropriate advice concerning a date, whether or not it is when Parliament is sitting. I have absolutely nothing to hide. I want to make something clear: when we were in election mode, as part of our policy - it is long-standing Labor Party policy - we made a commitment that school fees would be non-compulsory in the compulsory years of schooling. We were elected. In contrast to the scenario outlined by the Minister for Small Business concerning the activities of the previous Government, we fully intended, when elected, to honour our promises. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I will make the inquiry with the Department of Education this afternoon and try to provide some appropriate advice concerning a date, whether or not it is when Parliament is sitting. I have absolutely nothing to hide. I want to make something clear: when we were in election mode, as part of our policy - it is long-standing Labor Party policy - we made a commitment that school fees would be non-compulsory in the compulsory years of schooling. We were elected. In contrast to the scenario outlined by the Minister for Small Business concerning the activities of the previous Government, we fully intended, when elected, to honour our promises. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
I want to make something clear: when we were in election mode, as part of our policy - it is long-standing Labor Party policy - we made a commitment that school fees would be non-compulsory in the compulsory years of schooling. We were elected. In contrast to the scenario outlined by the Minister for Small Business concerning the activities of the previous Government, we fully intended, when elected, to honour our promises. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
(1) Can the minister confirm that the education sector is running well over budget, currently to the tune of more than $20 million? (2) What percentage of this blow-out is the result of having to compensate schools for lost fee income as a result of Labor’s school fees policy? (3) As the school year is almost complete, will the minister now provide the information and reveal the true impact of Labor’s school fees policy? (4) If no to (3), what is the minister trying to hide? Mr M. McGowan: Don’t hold back, Alan! Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I know some members of the Opposition enjoy it because they tell me to keep it up. They say, “Whatever you do, keep going at them.” (1)-(4) I thank the member for Darling Range for the question, and I recognise the legitimacy of the inquiry. I have not deliberately refused to provide information. I have always maintained the position that when I have adequate information that is meaningful, I will provide it to the member for Darling Range. That is the case. Mr J.H.D. Day: It is almost the end of the school year. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No, it is not. There are still a few weeks to go. Mr J.H.D. Day: When will it be? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I will make the inquiry with the Department of Education this afternoon and try to provide some appropriate advice concerning a date, whether or not it is when Parliament is sitting. I have absolutely nothing to hide. I want to make something clear: when we were in election mode, as part of our policy - it is long-standing Labor Party policy - we made a commitment that school fees would be non-compulsory in the compulsory years of schooling. We were elected. In contrast to the scenario outlined by the Minister for Small Business concerning the activities of the previous Government, we fully intended, when elected, to honour our promises. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
(2) What percentage of this blow-out is the result of having to compensate schools for lost fee income as a result of Labor’s school fees policy? (3) As the school year is almost complete, will the minister now provide the information and reveal the true impact of Labor’s school fees policy? (4) If no to (3), what is the minister trying to hide? Mr M. McGowan: Don’t hold back, Alan! Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I know some members of the Opposition enjoy it because they tell me to keep it up. They say, “Whatever you do, keep going at them.” (1)-(4) I thank the member for Darling Range for the question, and I recognise the legitimacy of the inquiry. I have not deliberately refused to provide information. I have always maintained the position that when I have adequate information that is meaningful, I will provide it to the member for Darling Range. That is the case. Mr J.H.D. Day: It is almost the end of the school year. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No, it is not. There are still a few weeks to go. Mr J.H.D. Day: When will it be? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I will make the inquiry with the Department of Education this afternoon and try to provide some appropriate advice concerning a date, whether or not it is when Parliament is sitting. I have absolutely nothing to hide. I want to make something clear: when we were in election mode, as part of our policy - it is long-standing Labor Party policy - we made a commitment that school fees would be non-compulsory in the compulsory years of schooling. We were elected. In contrast to the scenario outlined by the Minister for Small Business concerning the activities of the previous Government, we fully intended, when elected, to honour our promises. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
(3) As the school year is almost complete, will the minister now provide the information and reveal the true impact of Labor’s school fees policy? (4) If no to (3), what is the minister trying to hide? Mr M. McGowan: Don’t hold back, Alan! Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I know some members of the Opposition enjoy it because they tell me to keep it up. They say, “Whatever you do, keep going at them.” (1)-(4) I thank the member for Darling Range for the question, and I recognise the legitimacy of the inquiry. I have not deliberately refused to provide information. I have always maintained the position that when I have adequate information that is meaningful, I will provide it to the member for Darling Range. That is the case. Mr J.H.D. Day: It is almost the end of the school year. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No, it is not. There are still a few weeks to go. Mr J.H.D. Day: When will it be? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I will make the inquiry with the Department of Education this afternoon and try to provide some appropriate advice concerning a date, whether or not it is when Parliament is sitting. I have absolutely nothing to hide. I want to make something clear: when we were in election mode, as part of our policy - it is long-standing Labor Party policy - we made a commitment that school fees would be non-compulsory in the compulsory years of schooling. We were elected. In contrast to the scenario outlined by the Minister for Small Business concerning the activities of the previous Government, we fully intended, when elected, to honour our promises. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
(4) If no to (3), what is the minister trying to hide? Mr M. McGowan: Don’t hold back, Alan! Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I know some members of the Opposition enjoy it because they tell me to keep it up. They say, “Whatever you do, keep going at them.” (1)-(4) I thank the member for Darling Range for the question, and I recognise the legitimacy of the inquiry. I have not deliberately refused to provide information. I have always maintained the position that when I have adequate information that is meaningful, I will provide it to the member for Darling Range. That is the case. Mr J.H.D. Day: It is almost the end of the school year. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No, it is not. There are still a few weeks to go. Mr J.H.D. Day: When will it be? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I will make the inquiry with the Department of Education this afternoon and try to provide some appropriate advice concerning a date, whether or not it is when Parliament is sitting. I have absolutely nothing to hide. I want to make something clear: when we were in election mode, as part of our policy - it is long-standing Labor Party policy - we made a commitment that school fees would be non-compulsory in the compulsory years of schooling. We were elected. In contrast to the scenario outlined by the Minister for Small Business concerning the activities of the previous Government, we fully intended, when elected, to honour our promises. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Mr M. McGowan: Don’t hold back, Alan! Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I know some members of the Opposition enjoy it because they tell me to keep it up. They say, “Whatever you do, keep going at them.” (1)-(4) I thank the member for Darling Range for the question, and I recognise the legitimacy of the inquiry. I have not deliberately refused to provide information. I have always maintained the position that when I have adequate information that is meaningful, I will provide it to the member for Darling Range. That is the case. Mr J.H.D. Day: It is almost the end of the school year. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No, it is not. There are still a few weeks to go. Mr J.H.D. Day: When will it be? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I will make the inquiry with the Department of Education this afternoon and try to provide some appropriate advice concerning a date, whether or not it is when Parliament is sitting. I have absolutely nothing to hide. I want to make something clear: when we were in election mode, as part of our policy - it is long-standing Labor Party policy - we made a commitment that school fees would be non-compulsory in the compulsory years of schooling. We were elected. In contrast to the scenario outlined by the Minister for Small Business concerning the activities of the previous Government, we fully intended, when elected, to honour our promises. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I know some members of the Opposition enjoy it because they tell me to keep it up. They say, “Whatever you do, keep going at them.” (1)-(4) I thank the member for Darling Range for the question, and I recognise the legitimacy of the inquiry. I have not deliberately refused to provide information. I have always maintained the position that when I have adequate information that is meaningful, I will provide it to the member for Darling Range. That is the case. Mr J.H.D. Day: It is almost the end of the school year. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No, it is not. There are still a few weeks to go. Mr J.H.D. Day: When will it be? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I will make the inquiry with the Department of Education this afternoon and try to provide some appropriate advice concerning a date, whether or not it is when Parliament is sitting. I have absolutely nothing to hide. I want to make something clear: when we were in election mode, as part of our policy - it is long-standing Labor Party policy - we made a commitment that school fees would be non-compulsory in the compulsory years of schooling. We were elected. In contrast to the scenario outlined by the Minister for Small Business concerning the activities of the previous Government, we fully intended, when elected, to honour our promises. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I know some members of the Opposition enjoy it because they tell me to keep it up. They say, “Whatever you do, keep going at them.” (1)-(4) I thank the member for Darling Range for the question, and I recognise the legitimacy of the inquiry. I have not deliberately refused to provide information. I have always maintained the position that when I have adequate information that is meaningful, I will provide it to the member for Darling Range. That is the case. Mr J.H.D. Day: It is almost the end of the school year. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No, it is not. There are still a few weeks to go. Mr J.H.D. Day: When will it be? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I will make the inquiry with the Department of Education this afternoon and try to provide some appropriate advice concerning a date, whether or not it is when Parliament is sitting. I have absolutely nothing to hide. I want to make something clear: when we were in election mode, as part of our policy - it is long-standing Labor Party policy - we made a commitment that school fees would be non-compulsory in the compulsory years of schooling. We were elected. In contrast to the scenario outlined by the Minister for Small Business concerning the activities of the previous Government, we fully intended, when elected, to honour our promises. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
I know some members of the Opposition enjoy it because they tell me to keep it up. They say, “Whatever you do, keep going at them.” (1)-(4) I thank the member for Darling Range for the question, and I recognise the legitimacy of the inquiry. I have not deliberately refused to provide information. I have always maintained the position that when I have adequate information that is meaningful, I will provide it to the member for Darling Range. That is the case. Mr J.H.D. Day: It is almost the end of the school year. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No, it is not. There are still a few weeks to go. Mr J.H.D. Day: When will it be? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I will make the inquiry with the Department of Education this afternoon and try to provide some appropriate advice concerning a date, whether or not it is when Parliament is sitting. I have absolutely nothing to hide. I want to make something clear: when we were in election mode, as part of our policy - it is long-standing Labor Party policy - we made a commitment that school fees would be non-compulsory in the compulsory years of schooling. We were elected. In contrast to the scenario outlined by the Minister for Small Business concerning the activities of the previous Government, we fully intended, when elected, to honour our promises. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
(1)-(4) I thank the member for Darling Range for the question, and I recognise the legitimacy of the inquiry. I have not deliberately refused to provide information. I have always maintained the position that when I have adequate information that is meaningful, I will provide it to the member for Darling Range. That is the case. Mr J.H.D. Day: It is almost the end of the school year. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No, it is not. There are still a few weeks to go. Mr J.H.D. Day: When will it be? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I will make the inquiry with the Department of Education this afternoon and try to provide some appropriate advice concerning a date, whether or not it is when Parliament is sitting. I have absolutely nothing to hide. I want to make something clear: when we were in election mode, as part of our policy - it is long-standing Labor Party policy - we made a commitment that school fees would be non-compulsory in the compulsory years of schooling. We were elected. In contrast to the scenario outlined by the Minister for Small Business concerning the activities of the previous Government, we fully intended, when elected, to honour our promises. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Mr J.H.D. Day: It is almost the end of the school year. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No, it is not. There are still a few weeks to go. Mr J.H.D. Day: When will it be? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I will make the inquiry with the Department of Education this afternoon and try to provide some appropriate advice concerning a date, whether or not it is when Parliament is sitting. I have absolutely nothing to hide. I want to make something clear: when we were in election mode, as part of our policy - it is long-standing Labor Party policy - we made a commitment that school fees would be non-compulsory in the compulsory years of schooling. We were elected. In contrast to the scenario outlined by the Minister for Small Business concerning the activities of the previous Government, we fully intended, when elected, to honour our promises. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No, it is not. There are still a few weeks to go. Mr J.H.D. Day: When will it be? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I will make the inquiry with the Department of Education this afternoon and try to provide some appropriate advice concerning a date, whether or not it is when Parliament is sitting. I have absolutely nothing to hide. I want to make something clear: when we were in election mode, as part of our policy - it is long-standing Labor Party policy - we made a commitment that school fees would be non-compulsory in the compulsory years of schooling. We were elected. In contrast to the scenario outlined by the Minister for Small Business concerning the activities of the previous Government, we fully intended, when elected, to honour our promises. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Mr J.H.D. Day: When will it be? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I will make the inquiry with the Department of Education this afternoon and try to provide some appropriate advice concerning a date, whether or not it is when Parliament is sitting. I have absolutely nothing to hide. I want to make something clear: when we were in election mode, as part of our policy - it is long-standing Labor Party policy - we made a commitment that school fees would be non-compulsory in the compulsory years of schooling. We were elected. In contrast to the scenario outlined by the Minister for Small Business concerning the activities of the previous Government, we fully intended, when elected, to honour our promises. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: I will make the inquiry with the Department of Education this afternoon and try to provide some appropriate advice concerning a date, whether or not it is when Parliament is sitting. I have absolutely nothing to hide. I want to make something clear: when we were in election mode, as part of our policy - it is long-standing Labor Party policy - we made a commitment that school fees would be non-compulsory in the compulsory years of schooling. We were elected. In contrast to the scenario outlined by the Minister for Small Business concerning the activities of the previous Government, we fully intended, when elected, to honour our promises. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
I want to make something clear: when we were in election mode, as part of our policy - it is long-standing Labor Party policy - we made a commitment that school fees would be non-compulsory in the compulsory years of schooling. We were elected. In contrast to the scenario outlined by the Minister for Small Business concerning the activities of the previous Government, we fully intended, when elected, to honour our promises. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It came as a surprise to some people. Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Several members interjected. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: One of my schools is suffering because of your policy. The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
The SPEAKER: Order! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell would be advised not to interject on this matter. He is probably the only person in political life in Australian history who has actively discouraged parents from contributing to their children’s education. He is the only person who has said, basically, “The concept of voluntary contribution is ridiculous, and unless you’re forced to contribute to something, you shouldn’t do it. If you do, you’ve got rocks in your head.” Following the International Year of Volunteers, when Australia’s strength was recognised as being built on voluntary contribution, the member for Mitchell is the one politician swimming against the tide of public decency. Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Mr D.F. Barron-Sullivan: Come down and debate it with me. Come to Australind High School and debate it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: The member for Mitchell is also one of a select group of politicians, all of whom reside on the other side of the Chamber, who signed a document committing themselves to give up their membership of the parliamentary superannuation scheme - Point of Order Mr M.J. BIRNEY: Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to standing orders and submit that the minister’s answer is not relevant to the question. The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
The SPEAKER: I thank the member for the point of order. I am sure the minister will not continue with that line, which is not in answer to the question before us. Questions without Notice Resumed Mr A.J. CARPENTER: We are very proud on this side of the Chamber to be probably the first Government in WA history to alleviate the fee burden on the parents of children in our government schools. Not only did we make the fees for the compulsory years of high school non-compulsory and increase the secondary assistance allowance for people having financial difficulties, but also more recently, thanks to the leadership of the Premier, we announced that all government high school students, including those in years 11 and 12, will have a $100 contribution paid towards their school fees next year. Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Mr J.H.D. Day: Where is that coming from? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is coming from our budget. I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
I know other members of the Opposition want to ask questions, so I will get to the point more directly. In relation to the questions about a budgetary position, our performance contrasts with that of the previous Government and the previous minister, under whom, in a space of four years, the education budget blew out by some $300 million - can anyone believe that it was $300 million? - which accounts for a large proportion of those red-lined figures that the Treasurer holds up on occasion to illustrate the previous Government’s budget overruns and operating deficits. That result lies squarely at the feet of the then minister. This performance was to the chagrin of the National Party members of Cabinet who could not stand that a minister would be so profligate as to blow the state budget year after year. Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Several members interjected. Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: It is amazing that the interjection comes from a person who was managing a budget. It would be conceivably forgivable to overspend a budget in the year a new enterprise bargaining agreement was signed, which had not been budgeted for. In every other year, one would anticipate that provision would be made in the budget for necessary expenditure. This was not the case under the previous Government - it was gross waste. Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Mr J.H.D. Day: Is your budget overrun by $20 million? Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER: No. As far as I am aware, the budget has not blown out by any amount, let alone $20 million; therefore, the answer to part (2) of the question is not applicable. I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
I will provide the information to the member, whether or not Parliament is sitting at the time. I will speak to people in the Department of Education this afternoon and see when we can provide the most detailed accounts. The Government is doing very well in education; it has turned the tide. We are the first Government for a decade to achieve an increase of any significance in retention rates in government schools. Under the leadership of the previous minister, the budget was blown, morale was shot, children left school prematurely and students were exiting to the non-government sector. The legacy of the previous Government is waste, profligacy, non-involvement in decision making and a disastrous track record with student outcomes. I think I have provided a sufficiently detailed answer to that question, Mr Speaker.
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