❓ Ms Davies questions the government's funding and guarantees for camp schools and Landsdale Farm School after contracting Fairbridge WA and Family Support WA. The Premier defends the decision, highlighting cost savings and the suitability of the chosen organisations.
AnsweredQoN 616Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CAMP SCHOOLS AND LANDSDALE
FARM SCHOOL
616. Ms M.J. DAVIES to the Premier:
I refer to the government's
announcement that Fairbridge WA and Family Support WA have been awarded a contract
to run six of the seven camp schools and Landsdale Farm School.
(1) Will the
government guarantee that there will be no change in the affordability of and
services offered at the camps?
(2) How can the
government guarantee this when all it is offering is $250 000 a year and the
2017 operating deficit was $3.8 million?
(3) Will the Premier table the
contract signed with Fairbridge WA and Family Support WA?
FARM SCHOOL
616. Ms M.J. DAVIES to the Premier:
I refer to the government's
announcement that Fairbridge WA and Family Support WA have been awarded a contract
to run six of the seven camp schools and Landsdale Farm School.
(1) Will the
government guarantee that there will be no change in the affordability of and
services offered at the camps?
(2) How can the
government guarantee this when all it is offering is $250 000 a year and the
2017 operating deficit was $3.8 million?
(3) Will the Premier table the
contract signed with Fairbridge WA and Family Support WA?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) I
thank the Leader of the Nationals WA for the question. If last Monday was the
saddest day for the Liberals and Nationals in Western Australia, Saturday was
the second-saddest day, because the Minister for Education and Training solved
the issues surrounding the camp schools and Landsdale Farm School and ensured
that they will continue to operate. Again, they were gnashing their teeth.
Again, they were so angry that this has happened.
Ms M.J. Davies interjected.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the
Nationals!
Mr M. McGOWAN : It appears now
that they are attacking Western Australian regional icons like Fairbridge—they
are attacking Fairbridge now!
Ms M.J. Davies : No, no.
Mr M. McGOWAN : Yes, that is
what they are doing. Fairbridge has had a long history of operating camps. It
has put in place labour market programs, it undertakes training and it
undertakes coaching and mentoring for young people in Western Australia. It is
an ideal organisation to run the so-called camp schools across the state. I think
that is a reasonable outcome for Western Australians. I think most Western Australians
would think: fair enough. As part of that process, of course, the taxpayers of
the state will be getting back more than $3 million a year to help pay off your
$40 billion worth of debt. There we go; that is the solution we have come up
with. Members opposite seem to hate that now. It is hard to keep them happy. We
resolved the issues of Moora Residential College using commonwealth money—it
paid for it.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr M. McGOWAN : This will be
of interest to you. I will give some credit to the Liberals and Nationals.
The SPEAKER : Members, I want
to hear what the Premier is saying.
Mr M. McGOWAN : I will give
some credit to the Liberals and Nationals, if you like. I have a clipping from
4 September from the Drive program. The Deputy Prime Minister of
Australia, Michael McCormack, was on the program. He is the National Party
leader federally. He was being interviewed on the program. He was asked about
Moora Residential College: How did this deal come about? To whom had his office
been talking over in Western Australia? He responded: ''Well, look;
certainly Mia Davies, and Colin Love.''
Several members interjected.
Mr M. McGOWAN : You made a big
impression on him, member for Moore!
Going back to the question, the
government's requirement is that the costs will be similar and
affordable. That will be the arrangement that we will put in place. I think it
is a good outcome for Western Australia. Family Support WA will run the
Landsdale Farm School. That is an organisation of parents with children with
disabilities. I think that is a good organisation as well.
thank the Leader of the Nationals WA for the question. If last Monday was the
saddest day for the Liberals and Nationals in Western Australia, Saturday was
the second-saddest day, because the Minister for Education and Training solved
the issues surrounding the camp schools and Landsdale Farm School and ensured
that they will continue to operate. Again, they were gnashing their teeth.
Again, they were so angry that this has happened.
Ms M.J. Davies interjected.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the
Nationals!
Mr M. McGOWAN : It appears now
that they are attacking Western Australian regional icons like Fairbridge—they
are attacking Fairbridge now!
Ms M.J. Davies : No, no.
Mr M. McGOWAN : Yes, that is
what they are doing. Fairbridge has had a long history of operating camps. It
has put in place labour market programs, it undertakes training and it
undertakes coaching and mentoring for young people in Western Australia. It is
an ideal organisation to run the so-called camp schools across the state. I think
that is a reasonable outcome for Western Australians. I think most Western Australians
would think: fair enough. As part of that process, of course, the taxpayers of
the state will be getting back more than $3 million a year to help pay off your
$40 billion worth of debt. There we go; that is the solution we have come up
with. Members opposite seem to hate that now. It is hard to keep them happy. We
resolved the issues of Moora Residential College using commonwealth money—it
paid for it.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr M. McGOWAN : This will be
of interest to you. I will give some credit to the Liberals and Nationals.
The SPEAKER : Members, I want
to hear what the Premier is saying.
Mr M. McGOWAN : I will give
some credit to the Liberals and Nationals, if you like. I have a clipping from
4 September from the Drive program. The Deputy Prime Minister of
Australia, Michael McCormack, was on the program. He is the National Party
leader federally. He was being interviewed on the program. He was asked about
Moora Residential College: How did this deal come about? To whom had his office
been talking over in Western Australia? He responded: ''Well, look;
certainly Mia Davies, and Colin Love.''
Several members interjected.
Mr M. McGOWAN : You made a big
impression on him, member for Moore!
Going back to the question, the
government's requirement is that the costs will be similar and
affordable. That will be the arrangement that we will put in place. I think it
is a good outcome for Western Australia. Family Support WA will run the
Landsdale Farm School. That is an organisation of parents with children with
disabilities. I think that is a good organisation as well.
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