Mr Watson asks about government support for public libraries. Ms McHale responds by outlining a significant funding increase, criticising interjections suggesting otherwise, and highlighting the government's commitment to libraries, including those in regional areas and for the visually impaired.

AnsweredQoN 245Legislative Assembly
Asked
11 May 2004
Portfolio
Arts

QuestionView source ↗

What is the Government doing to assist public libraries to provide books and other resources for the Western Australian community? Dr E. Constable: Absolutely nothing. Ms S.M. McHALE

AnswerView source ↗

Once again I am flabbergasted at the interjection from the member for Churchlands. Let me make this very clear. This budget is very good news for the 268 public libraries in this State. Over the next four years, through the forward estimates, we will invest a record $10.3 million in public libraries. That is on top of the $7.7 million already invested. That is the single biggest funding increase ever, yet I hear stupid, stupid interjections saying that absolutely nothing is being done. One would think sometimes that one is in a place in which facts do not seem to matter. That amount of $10.3 million over the next four years equates to a 44 per cent increase for our wonderful public libraries since the last budget of the previous Government. Again, our record tells the story, and the public understands it. Our libraries are delighted with the commitment of this State Government to the vital role that libraries and librarians play in our community. Dr G.I. Gallop: We are also contributing to a new talking book library for the blind in Western Australia. Ms S.M. McHALE: That is absolutely right. This money will also go to those libraries in regional Western Australia in which the book stock is not up to scratch. I am delighted that once again we have delivered to the very vital public libraries in Western Australia.
Dr E. Constable: Absolutely nothing. Ms S.M. McHALE replied: Once again I am flabbergasted at the interjection from the member for Churchlands. Let me make this very clear. This budget is very good news for the 268 public libraries in this State. Over the next four years, through the forward estimates, we will invest a record $10.3 million in public libraries. That is on top of the $7.7 million already invested. That is the single biggest funding increase ever, yet I hear stupid, stupid interjections saying that absolutely nothing is being done. One would think sometimes that one is in a place in which facts do not seem to matter. That amount of $10.3 million over the next four years equates to a 44 per cent increase for our wonderful public libraries since the last budget of the previous Government. Again, our record tells the story, and the public understands it. Our libraries are delighted with the commitment of this State Government to the vital role that libraries and librarians play in our community. Dr G.I. Gallop: We are also contributing to a new talking book library for the blind in Western Australia. Ms S.M. McHALE: That is absolutely right. This money will also go to those libraries in regional Western Australia in which the book stock is not up to scratch. I am delighted that once again we have delivered to the very vital public libraries in Western Australia.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: Once again I am flabbergasted at the interjection from the member for Churchlands. Let me make this very clear. This budget is very good news for the 268 public libraries in this State. Over the next four years, through the forward estimates, we will invest a record $10.3 million in public libraries. That is on top of the $7.7 million already invested. That is the single biggest funding increase ever, yet I hear stupid, stupid interjections saying that absolutely nothing is being done. One would think sometimes that one is in a place in which facts do not seem to matter. That amount of $10.3 million over the next four years equates to a 44 per cent increase for our wonderful public libraries since the last budget of the previous Government. Again, our record tells the story, and the public understands it. Our libraries are delighted with the commitment of this State Government to the vital role that libraries and librarians play in our community. Dr G.I. Gallop: We are also contributing to a new talking book library for the blind in Western Australia. Ms S.M. McHALE: That is absolutely right. This money will also go to those libraries in regional Western Australia in which the book stock is not up to scratch. I am delighted that once again we have delivered to the very vital public libraries in Western Australia.
Once again I am flabbergasted at the interjection from the member for Churchlands. Let me make this very clear. This budget is very good news for the 268 public libraries in this State. Over the next four years, through the forward estimates, we will invest a record $10.3 million in public libraries. That is on top of the $7.7 million already invested. That is the single biggest funding increase ever, yet I hear stupid, stupid interjections saying that absolutely nothing is being done. One would think sometimes that one is in a place in which facts do not seem to matter. That amount of $10.3 million over the next four years equates to a 44 per cent increase for our wonderful public libraries since the last budget of the previous Government. Again, our record tells the story, and the public understands it. Our libraries are delighted with the commitment of this State Government to the vital role that libraries and librarians play in our community. Dr G.I. Gallop: We are also contributing to a new talking book library for the blind in Western Australia. Ms S.M. McHALE: That is absolutely right. This money will also go to those libraries in regional Western Australia in which the book stock is not up to scratch. I am delighted that once again we have delivered to the very vital public libraries in Western Australia.
Dr G.I. Gallop: We are also contributing to a new talking book library for the blind in Western Australia. Ms S.M. McHALE: That is absolutely right. This money will also go to those libraries in regional Western Australia in which the book stock is not up to scratch. I am delighted that once again we have delivered to the very vital public libraries in Western Australia.
Ms S.M. McHALE: That is absolutely right. This money will also go to those libraries in regional Western Australia in which the book stock is not up to scratch. I am delighted that once again we have delivered to the very vital public libraries in Western Australia.

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